Wren Baker Goes Deeper About Darian DeVries Leaving West Virginia for Indiana

It’s possible WVU fans will never know what really happened that led to Darian DeVries’ departure to Indiana? And it’s also possible DeVries’ one successful season and controversial exit will forever create a “what if” story for WVU basketball.

Knowing the continued intrigue about the topic and the conspiracy theories that will never go away, WVU director of athletics Wren Baker was asked about DeVries during an appearance on the Big 12 Today show. Baker has discussed his feelings on DeVries and offered what he’s willing to share about what went down in the past, but these comments are now his most recent thoughts on the matter.

“I think the first thing I would say is one, Coach DeVries did a really good job coaching the basketball team this year. Deserves credit for that. We should have been in the NCAA Tournament, still don’t know how that didn’t happen. But there were multiple other schools who had reached out to Darian because there were several jobs that were open before the season closed. I know factually that he declined to talk to those schools. The only one that I’m aware of that he entertained at all was Indiana,” said Baker to reiterate his stance that DeVries wouldn’t have left for just any job, which is supported by DeVries calling Indiana his dream job.

It should be noted this shows the rumors about DeVries’ interest in Iowa were always wrong (as WV Sports Now’s Mike Asti continuously said and reported all year). 

 Baker continued.

“In situations like this, people will conjure up a lot of this happened and that happened. I probably have more knowledge of the facts because I was inside. Whether it was Tucker’s injury or there’s all kinds of crazy things that are out there. I believe that for whatever reason, he felt like Indiana was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it was one of the few he would probably leave for, and it just happened to open at the wrong time. I was disappointed. I think you look at the recent history, this job has performed as well or better than Indiana.

WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose

“Felt like we were set up and building something special here, but ultimately, I think there’s two things that you walk away from. One, there are certain things that are in your control, and certain things that aren’t. It was not my decision to make. It was his, and I have to respect that. There’s nothing I can do to change it.

“I think the other thing that I would say is you can go down these rabbit holes of conspiracy theories, but what good does that do? I know what he articulated to me throughout the season. I know the facts of what I do know, and life is short. I got two young daughters. I’ve got lots of things going on. I’d rather probably not spend my time trying to speculate on conspiracy theories because the outcome of that, no matter what, would not be favorable anyway,” Baker finished on DeVries.

Baker also knows he can’t change the past no matter what. And he believes everything happens for a reason, and that reason is West Virginia and their current head coach Ross Hodge are a match made in (almost) heaven.

“I think Coach Hodge was the right coach at the right time and has come in here and truly opened his heart to West Virginians and is quickly acclimating and getting to know people and becoming a part of the culture.”

Find more coverage of what both Wren Baker and Darian DeVries have said about their breakup at WV Sports Now.