West Virginia to Introduce Darian DeVries as HC on Thursday

West Virginia is set to introduce Darian DeVries as the 23rd men’s basketball head coach on Thursday at 11 a.m., per the University. DeVries, who spent the last six seasons at Drake, will be formally welcomed on the WVU Coliseum floor.

“I’m honored to lead this historic program which has an outstanding tradition and passionate fanbase,” DeVries said. “Gamedays in the WVU Coliseum are legendary, and the incredible support for Mountaineer Basketball is known nationwide. I look forward to building on the success of the program.

“I would like to thank President Gee and Wren Baker for extending me this wonderful opportunity. My family and I are honored and thrilled to be a part of Mountaineer Nation. We have heard so many great things about West Virginia and its people, and we can’t wait to get there.”

DeVries built a program of consistency during his six seasons at Drake. The Bulldogs have won 20-plus games in each of DeVries’ seasons at the helm, with three NCAA Tournament appearances. Drake has one NCAA Tournament win from the play-in game vs. Wichita State in 2021. The Bulldogs returned to the tournament this season, falling to 7-seed Washington State on Thursday.

Drake finished with a 28-7 record this season, going 16-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference and then winning the MVC Tournament.

Drake had a top-45 offense in the country, averaging 80 points per game. The Bulldogs shot 37% from three as a team, which is 36th in the country. Drake allowed 70.4 points per contest this past season.

DeVries leaves Drake with a 150-55 (73.2%) record over six years.

DeVries replaces interim HC Josh Eilert, who West Virginia moved on from on March 13. Eilert took over the program for nine months as he filled in after Bob Huggins’ resignation last June.