Reports: West Virginia hiring Drake's Darian DeVries as coach

Field Level Media|published: Sun 24th March, 20:33 2024

Mar 5, 2023; St. Louis, MO, USA; Drake Bulldogs guard Tucker DeVries (12) celebrates with head coach Darian DeVries during the second half against the Bradley Braves in the finals of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament at Enterprise Center. credits: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

West Virginia is hiring Drake's Darian DeVries as its next head coach, multiple reports said Sunday.

DeVries is expected to sign a five-year contract for the Mountaineers' job, according to ESPN.

DeVries, who turns 49 next month, got his first head-coaching job at Drake in 2018 after a long career as an assistant at Creighton. In six seasons leading the school in Des Moines, Iowa, he amassed a 150-55 record with at least 20 wins every year.

He guided the Bulldogs to three NCAA Tournaments in the past four years, including an at-large bid in 2021 and consecutive Missouri Valley Conference titles in 2023 and 2024.

After receiving a No. 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament, Drake's season ended with a 66-61 loss to No. 7 Washington State in the first round.

Josh Eilert spent the 2023-24 season as West Virginia's interim coach after longtime coach Bob Huggins resigned following a DUI arrest. The Mountaineers went 9-23 (4-14 Big 12).

The Field of 68 reported Sunday night that DeVries' son, Drake star Tucker DeVries, will transfer to West Virginia to play for his dad. Tucker DeVries averaged 21.6 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game over 34 starts in 2023-24.

—Field Level Media

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