Indiana appointed Darian Devries as his next main basketball coach on Tuesday and chose the highly appreciated coach in West Virginia when it tries to restore the program to a national challenger.
Devries, 49, spent a season coaching the rock climbers after a strong six -year -old stint at Drake.
Indiana announced in February that coach Mike Woodson would resign at the end of Hoosier’s season after four seasons in the role. Indiana went 82-53 in Woodson’s service and missed the last two NCAA tournaments.
Devries was born and raised in Iowa and was considered a candidate for Hawkey’s opening, but he expressed high consideration for Hoosiers in a statement Tuesday.
“This is undoubtedly one of the best jobs in America,” Devries said. “As someone who grew up in Midwest who loved the basketball game, I have always admired the IU basketball program for their championship level Success, tradition and fans support. There is a passion to succeed at the very highest levels both within the big ten and in the NCA Tournament, and it is a wish as a coach I share.
“In addition, the adaptation is there at a department and university level to make it happen. I am excited for this opportunity and am ready to work relentlessly to gather a staff and a list that competes for championships.”
During her lonely season in West Virginia, Devries trained the team to a record from 19-13 with surprise gains over Gonzaga, Kansas and Iowa State. It was a shock to many that the rock climbers were listed as the first team from the NCAA tournament field (Indiana was the second team).
Devries took over in Morgantown after led Drake to six straight 20 seasons, including two Missouri Valley tournament championships and three NCAA tournaments over the past four years there.
As a division in head coach, Devries is 169-68.
“We went into this coaching search with some very specific things we were looking for in our next head coach, and Darian came up as someone who, on paper, met and often exceeded our criteria,” said Indiana athletic manager Scott Dolson in a statement. “When we had a chance to talk to him, we knew we had the right person.
“Darian has a plan to build a championship culture that can compete at the highest level on an year-in, an annual basis.
Tucker Devries, coach son, is expected to follow his father to Indiana. Tucker Devries season was canceled at West Virginia due to a shoulder injury. He was twice Missouri Valley Player of the Year at Drake before following his father to West Virginia.
-Field level media
