Meet Darian DeVries: The New Era of Indiana Basketball Begins!

Darian DeVries has officially stepped into the role of head coach for Indiana University’s men’s basketball team, succeeding Mike Woodson. This marks a significant change for the Hoosiers, as DeVries is the first coach hired from another high-major program in 16 years. His deep roots in the Midwest basketball scene, both as a player and a coach, have set the stage for a promising future.

A Look at DeVries' Impressive Resume

Hailing from Aplington, Iowa, DeVries played college basketball at Northern Iowa before starting his coaching career at Creighton. From 2001 to 2018, he served as an assistant coach at Creighton, where he learned under two highly successful coaches, Dana Altman and Greg McDermott. During his tenure, the Blue Jays enjoyed remarkable success, achieving 15 seasons with 20 or more wins and making nine NCAA Tournament appearances.

In 2018, DeVries took the helm at Drake University, where he achieved an impressive feat: winning 20 or more games for all six seasons he coached the Bulldogs. Under his leadership, Drake captured the Missouri Valley Conference titles both in the regular season and tournament, and he was honored as the conference's coach of the year twice. His exceptional strategies led the Bulldogs to three NCAA tournament appearances, marking a revival for a program that hadn't seen significant success in recent decades.

Why DeVries is a Smart Hire for Indiana

DeVries is known for his relentless winning mentality and strong fundamentals. His experience coaching under esteemed mentors at Creighton prepared him for the highs and lows of leading a major program. DeVries transformed Drake, leading them to heights previously unseen since the early 1970s. His teams excelled in defense and ball control, boasting impressive statistics with an average of 27 wins per year over his final four seasons at Drake.

Interestingly, his son Tucker DeVries, a celebrated guard and star player at Drake, may potentially join his father at Indiana. Tucker averaged an impressive 21.6 points per game in his last season but missed significant playtime due to injury. However, he could return for an additional year through a medical redshirt.

Potential Challenges Ahead

Despite DeVries' impressive record, the question remains whether his style will translate at the high-major level, where expectations run high. While he has consistently achieved success, he has rarely guided teams to shocking upsets in the NCAA tournament. During his time at West Virginia, DeVries faced challenges but also saw moments of promise—even without his son contributing to the lineup.

His overall NCAA tournament success—only one win in seven years as a head coach—raises eyebrows in the highly competitive landscape of college basketball. Moreover, DeVries' teams traditionally play at a slower pace, which may not resonate with the fast-paced, high-scoring style that attracts elite athletes.

Key Facts About Darian DeVries:

- Born on April 7, 1975. - Collegiate player at Northern Iowa from 1994-1998. - His brother Jared was an All-American defensive end at Iowa, later playing in the NFL. - Worked under Dana Altman (2001-2010) and Greg McDermott (2010-2018) before leading Drake. - Won more games (150) at Drake in six years than the Bulldogs achieved in the previous 10 seasons combined. - His son Tucker was named Iowa Mr. Basketball in 2021 and was twice named MVC Player of the Year.

As Darian DeVries takes on the challenge of reviving the Indiana hoops program, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how his leadership and unique style will shape the future of the Hoosiers. The basketball community is buzzing—could this be the start of a sensational new chapter for IU basketball? Stay tuned!