Darian DeVries, 49, has been appointed as the next head coach of Indiana basketball. He previously spent six seasons leading Drake before taking over at West Virginia for the 2024-25 season. Similar to Indiana, the Mountaineers were on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament but ultimately did not receive a bid.
Is this an upgrade for the Hoosiers after parting ways with alum Mike Woodson following four seasons? Many IU fans remain uncertain.
The 2024-25 season marked DeVries’s debut as head coach of the Mountaineers, where he guided them to a 19-13 record—an impressive improvement from the team’s 9-23 finish in 2023-24. However, West Virginia’s exclusion from the NCAA tournament sparked significant controversy.
Before arriving in Morgantown, DeVries spent six seasons leading Drake, transforming the Bulldogs into a powerhouse in the Missouri Valley Conference. He compiled an overall record of 150-55 (.732), secured one regular-season conference title, won two conference tournaments, and made three NCAA tournament appearances. In his final two seasons at Drake, the team posted a stellar 55-15 record.
Indiana is bringing in DeVries following four seasons under Mike Woodson. Despite being a former Indiana All-American, Woodson struggled to elevate the program, finishing with an 82-53 (.607) record and missing the NCAA tournament in each of the last two seasons.
At Indiana, DeVries would take over a program that has only reached the NCAA tournament twice in the past nine years. While the Hoosiers boast strong fan support, top-tier facilities, and substantial NIL resources, they have failed to capitalize on these advantages over the last decade.
If DeVries is the right fit, Indiana has the potential for a swift turnaround.