WVU HC Darian DeVries Snubbed on List of Top Coaches with New Teams

Even though WVU is one of several major programs with a new coach, Andy Katz left West Virginia’s Darian DeVries off his list of the top 10 coaches with new teams in men’s college basketball.

Katz placed the obvious big names like Jon Calipari leaving Kentucky for Arkansas and Dusty May taking the Michigan job after success at FAU at the top of the list, but the bottom includes coaches with similar resumes to DeVries.

While DeVries’ track record and the brand of WVU basketball historically argues for a spot on this list, it’s possible Katz couldn’t ignore the preseason predictions and the uncertainty surrounding the Mountaineers as they embark on this new era.

West Virginia received its preseason KenPom ranking on Oct. 14, coming in at No. 87. This ranking sits 15-out-of-16 Big 12 teams, with Oklahoma State just behind the Mountaineers. DeVries’ team was also picked to finish 13th in the conference by the coaches.

WVU is entering its first season under head coach Darian DeVries after hiring him from Drake in March. DeVries and his new staff completely flipped the roster as they only return rising sophomore Ofri Naveh. West Virginia brings top transfers Tucker DeVries (F – Drake) and Javon Small (G – Oklahoma State) to lead the way with other notable additions being Sencire Harris (G – Illinois), Amani Hansberry (F – Illinois), Toby Okani (F – UIC), Eduardo Andre (C – Fresno State), Joseph Yesufu (G – Washington State), Jayden Stone (G – Detroit Mercy) to go along with the others.

For a related story, Chester Frazier explains his decision to leave Illinois and join DeVries and West Virginia.