Details About Darian DeVries’ Contract with West Virginia Have Emerged

A couple days after West Virginia announced Darian DeVries as the 23rd head coach of WVU basketball, more details about his contract have emerged.

According to information obtained by Keenan Cummings of Rivals’ WVSports.com, DeVries will earn $2.8 million in salary in his first year and then $100,000 more each year throughout the rest of the five-year deal. In addition to just his salary, DeVries will be able to earn more in incentives, granted they are all tied to success on and off the court. DeVries signed his contract with WVU on March 24.

An extension clause will be activated if DeVries finishes in the top six in the Big 12 standings in his first two years. This will take place even if it occurs thanks to a conference tie breaker scenario. DeVries’ deal will then be extended for one additional year through April 30, 2030.

If the extension clause is triggered, DeVries will then receive a compensation increase to $3.3 million. Other possible ways for DeVries to make extra money are tied to how his teams perform. He will be rewarded with $200,000 for a national title, $40,000 for a Big 12 tournament title and even $20,000 if season ticket sales exceed 6,000.

Separate from DeVries’ contact with WVU, West Virginia has agreed to pay his buyout with Drake.

Another important factor in the contract is what will happen if either DeVries or WVU decide to part ways before the end of the deal. WVU will owe DeVries 75% of the remaining compensation as a buyout. But if DeVries were to leave the Mountaineers, he would then owe %37.5 as his buyout.

West Virginia is set to introduce Darian DeVries as the 23rd men’s basketball head coach on Thursday at 11 a.m., per the University. DeVries, who spent the last six seasons at Drake, will be formally welcomed on the WVU Coliseum floor.

West Virginia to Introduce Darian DeVries as HC on Thursday

“I’m honored to lead this historic program which has an outstanding tradition and passionate fanbase,” DeVries said. “Gamedays in the WVU Coliseum are legendary, and the incredible support for Mountaineer Basketball is known nationwide. I look forward to building on the success of the program.

“I would like to thank President Gee and Wren Baker for extending me this wonderful opportunity. My family and I are honored and thrilled to be a part of Mountaineer Nation. We have heard so many great things about West Virginia and its people, and we can’t wait to get there.”

DeVries built a program of consistency during his six seasons at Drake. The Bulldogs have won 20-plus games in each of DeVries’ seasons at the helm, with three NCAA Tournament appearances. Drake has one NCAA Tournament win from the play-in game vs. Wichita State in 2021. The Bulldogs returned to the tournament this season, falling to 7-seed Washington State on Thursday.

Drake finished with a 28-7 record this season, going 16-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference and then winning the MVC Tournament.