WVU AD Wren Baker Responds to Darian DeVries Leaving for Indiana

Right after Indiana officially announced the hiring of Darian DeVries, WVU director of athletics Wren Baker issued a statement to Mountaineer Nation.

“Coach DeVries informed me of his plans to accept the head coaching position at another institution,” said Baker.

“Coach and I had several conversations in recent weeks focused on working together to build on a strong foundation and continue to grow our program. I made it clear to him that WVU is committed to invest in him and provide the resources needed to compete in the Big 12 and nationally. Ultimately, he decided to move on, and I want to thank him for his time at WVU. We have an outstanding basketball tradition with some of the most loyal and passionate fans in college basketball,” Baker added.

We have tremendously generous supporters and a great partnership with the University that allow us to compete in this new era of college athletics. The alignment between the leadership of our Board of Governors, the University and Athletics Department is strong, and I am confident our momentum will continue as we work diligently to identify the next leader of our men’s basketball program.”

DeVries, 49, leaves after just one season in Morgantown, leading the Mountaineers to a 19-13 (10-10 Big 12) record this season, just missing out on a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Under DeVries, West Virginia pulled off marquee upset wins over Gonzaga, Kansas and Iowa State, who were all ranked in the top 10. WVU’s win at Kansas this season was the program’s first-ever victory in Allen Fieldhouse.

Mike Woodson stepped down as Indiana’s coach following the season after four years leading the Hoosiers. IU went 19-13 this season and is one of several teams that felt they got snubbed from the NCAA Tournament, like West Virginia.

DeVries’s name was brought up in several coaching rumors this offseason, beginning with the vacancy at Iowa. Those rumors were dismissed, but DeVries’ was quickly linked with Indiana shortly after.

DeVries’s departure casts a shadow of doubt on the immediate future for WVU basketball. His son, standout senior Tucker DeVries, will almost certainly follow his father to play his final year after receiving a medical redshirt this season.