WVU Basketball
Meet the WVU Basketball Coaching Staff: Nick Norton Brings Invaluable Darian DeVries Experience
WVU Basketball coach Darian DeVries brings along coaches with a rich history, such as Nick Norton— Assistant Coach/Director of Player Development.
Norton has been surrounded by basketball his entire life, thanks to his father Randy Norton. Randy is the head women’s coach at UAB. Randy is heading into his 12th year at the helm. He has lead his UAB team to 195-143 record in 11 seasons. Randy is a recipient of the C-USA Coach of the Year in 2017-2018. His team also won the regular season title that same year. Randy spent time at Missouri and Illinois State before his arrival to UAB.
Norton follows DeVries to the WVU basketball staff after spending three years on his coaching staff, and playing one year for him after transferring. Prior to his year at Drake, Norton spent time at UAB. He was named an All C-USA Third Team Member, C-USA Scholar Athlete of the Year, a finalist for the Kyle Macy Freshman of the Year, and the All-Freshman team.
Norton saw his numbers take a jump while playing for DeVries. Norton averaged 14 PPG, 6 APG, and 4 RPG. He also had the assists record (17) in a single game, a career high 31 points, and recorded only the second triple-double in Drake history. Norton also played for the G-League South Bay Lakers in 2019.
As a member of the staff with DeVries at Drake, the Bulldogs posted an 80-26 record in the three years, winning the Missouri Valley Conference twice, earning them two trips to the NCAA tournament.
“He always has a great rapport with our players, and has a strong basketball IQ. Nick fits our basketball staff and program extremely well”, said DeVries when Norton was announced as an addition to his staff back in April.
Norton also spoke highly of DeVries, labeling him as a metro, during his first press conference with the media in early October.
“He means the world to me. He gave him a shot on the court and then he gave me the shot as a coach. So it’s been amazing to work with him, play for him. I’m in a fortunate position that I played for him so I can connect with the guys.”