Bock: Darian DeVries is a Top WVU Target But Could Other Schools Interrupt?

Drake HC Darian DeVries has been linked to the West Virginia job for a few weeks now. With the Bulldogs out of the NCAA Tournament, things are starting to move faster for DeVries.

DeVries is the top target for WVU AD Wren Baker, with Mark Byington (JMU), Niko Medved (Colorado State) and others in the mix. I do think momentum is picking up between DeVries and WVU. Baker and West Virginia will have to close things up soon if they want to land a great hire in DeVries.

Here’s why.

DeVries is a Midwest guy. He’s coached at Drake since 2018 after spending 18 years as a Creighton assistant under Dana Altman and Greg McDermott. DeVries also spent his playing days at Northern Iowa.

**Update (9:45 p.m.) – Michigan has hired FAU’s Dusty May, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The job I worry about the most is Michigan. DeVries has also been linked to the Wolverines as they look to turn the page from the Juwan Howard era. Michigan, like WVU, will be a tough rebuild. But Michigan also is the second-best job available behind Louisville. Florida Atlantic’s Dusty May is the frontrunner at UofL, so then where does Michigan turn to?

One con for Michigan is the difficulty of recruiting transfers with the high academic levels. Michigan had commitments last offseason from Caleb Love and Terrence Shannon Jr. before admin turned things around.

Either way, DeVries’ agent wouldn’t be doing his job to not have his client talk with UM.

Another job that I worry about that’s not open is Iowa. The Hawkeyes are currently playing in the NIT but sources have mentioned that the job could potentially open at the conclusion of their season. If Iowa and Fran McCaffery did move on from each other, DeVries would have a job opening right in his backyard. DeVries, as a cultural fit, would make way too much sense for Iowa.

Of course, there are some great selling points from West Virginia’s perspective: Big 12 hoops, a top practice facility and a very supportive fanbase. WVU’s NIL support could be hindered with Bob Huggins out of the picture.

I don’t believe DeVries to WVU is finalized as of Saturday night but time will tell heading into Sunday and Monday.

If Baker can lock DeVries in, that’s a hell of a job for someone with high-major interest. I think West Virginia would shift to Mark Byington if that wasn’t the case.