The recent hiring of Darian DeVries as the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers has sparked considerable controversy within the college basketball community. This decision was announced just two days after the West Virginia Mountaineers were notably snubbed from the NCAA Tournament, a decision that has raised eyebrows and led to speculation about the timing of the coaching change.
The swift announcement of DeVries’ hiring has fueled rumors that discussions between Indiana and DeVries may have begun prior to the conclusion of the current season. The timing is particularly suspect given that the Hoosiers made public Mike Woodson’s exit plan in early February. This has left fans and analysts questioning the transparency of the coaching transition.
As the news unfolded, several players from West Virginia added to the skepticism surrounding DeVries' departure. Leading scorer and guard Javon Small took to Instagram to share laughing emojis shortly after the announcement, while center Eduardo Andrew responded with a simple “Lool” on X, suggesting frustration and disbelief among the team regarding the situation.
Interestingly, DeVries’ son, Tucker DeVries, who played a limited role for West Virginia due to a shoulder injury, is expected to follow his father to Indiana. Tucker served as the second-leading scorer for the Mountaineers but participated in only eight games this season. He has one year of eligibility remaining and aims to make a fresh start under his father’s leadership at Indiana.
Darian DeVries' abrupt departure adds to a disappointing end of the season for West Virginia. The Mountaineers were a bubble team but suffered a shocking defeat to last-place Colorado in the Big 12 Tournament, ultimately leading to their exclusion from the NCAA Tournament. This outcome was one of the most surprising developments of Selection Sunday, especially as Indiana also fell short of a tournament bid.
DeVries' tenure at West Virginia lasted less than a year, a stark contrast to his successful run at Drake University. During his introductory press conference at West Virginia, DeVries expressed a commitment to the program, stating, “It took something special for me to leave Drake. This is a place I see myself for a very long time.” However, his time with the Mountaineers was cut short despite having signed a five-year contract, raising questions about the stability and future direction of the West Virginia basketball program.
The situation surrounding Darian DeVries’ hiring at Indiana continues to evolve, and it remains to be seen how this controversy will impact both programs moving forward.
