The news broke Tuesday: Darian DeVries, West Virginia University Mountaineers Men’s Basketball Coach, was leaving WVU after just one season to accept the same coaching position at Indiana University. The announcement came after weeks of rumors and speculation about his future. This announcement sent shockwaves through Morgantown.
For West Virginia fans, DeVries’ departure feels like betrayal. DeVries’ time in Morgantown was short-lived, but filled with promise and disappointment. In year one — and only — with the Mountaineers, DeVries led WVU to a solid 19-13 record, with a 10-10 conference record.
West Virginia was considered by many to be a tournament team, but was snubbed in favor of a North Carolina Tar Heels team who had only one quadrant one victory, compared to West Virginia’s six. DeVries managed to lead WVU to on-court success despite dealing with injuries this season, and the Mountaineers’ snub makes this departure more pertinent.
A Tough Pill to Swallow as Darian DeVries Departs
From the moment DeVries accepted the job, Mountaineer fans saw reason to hope. For the first time since Bob Huggins’ unceremonious exit, DeVries brought a breath of fresh air to Morgantown. Many Mountaineer fans saw him as the right leader who could take WVU to new heights. DeVries brought a great track record from his previous stint at Drake, where he built an elite program constantly being at top of the Missouri Valley Conference. Devries success recruiting, developing talent, and ability to keep composure under pressure made him a great fit in Morgantown.
And now, as Darian DeVries departs to Indiana, a program with a rich tradition and storied history WVU are rightfully frustrated. It’s hard to avoid feeling as though the team was left at the altar, especially after the promises made by Athletic Director Wren Baker, who reiterated in a statement that the university was willing to support DeVries in building a program capable of competing at the highest level. Unfortunately, it seems that, for DeVries, that future was not in Morgantown.
Why Indiana?
From DeVries’ perspective, the move to become a Hoosier makes sense. The Hoosiers’ program is one of the most successful in college basketball history, with a passionate fan base, a rich tradition, and access to the resources necessary to compete at the highest level.
For more coaches than not, the idea of taking over Indiana is an irresistible opportunity. But if you’re a Mountaineer fans, you might not see it that way. You certainly might take this move as a slap in the face. The Hoosiers have had their fair share of struggles in recent years under Mike Woodson.
Related: Mitch’s Take — DeVries One and Done
But there are still great expectations for them in the Big Ten. Indiana landed DeVries on a 6-year-deal worth $5 million a year, compared to the one-year, $2.8 million deal DeVries just coached under. The pay increase might well have been a deciding factor.
The Final Word
As a fan, it’s hard not to feel betrayed as Darian DeVries departs. His one season at WVU wasn’t perfect, but it showed potential. Unfortunately, he’ll now try to realize that potential elsewhere. He’s off to Indiana to take on one of the most coveted jobs in college basketball.
For Mountaineer fans, the sting of DeVries’ departure is tough to shake. But the hope is that the next coach will rise to the occasion and give fans something to cheer for in the seasons to come.
In the end, this is a business. Coaches are always looking for the next step in their careers. But for now, as fans, all we can do is look ahead, mourn the lost opportunity, and hold out hope that the next chapter in WVU basketball is one worth celebrating.
