WVU Basketball
WVU’s Darian DeVries Earns Mid-Season Coach of the Year Honors

Darian DeVries, first-year head coach of WVU basketball, has been named the Jim Phelan Award National Mid-Season Coach of the Year. The Jim Phelan Award is given annually to the top head coach in Division I college basketball.
Under DeVries, the Mountaineers have far exceeded their preseason expectation for this season. With only one returning player, DeVries and his coaching staff rebuilt their roster last offseason with transfers and freshmen.
Let's hear it for Coach, the recipient of the Jim Phelan Award โMid-Seasonโ Honors ๐๐ @Coach_DeVries
๐ https://t.co/ijXIfQSB9W pic.twitter.com/45X8DCBAqZ
— WVU Men's Basketball (@WVUhoops) January 16, 2025
The team sits at 12-4 (3-2 Big 12) at this point in the season, already surpassing last year’s win total of nine.
“Coach DeVries has transformed West Virginia’s program with a remarkable first-half performance, already surpassing last season’s win total,” James Wilhelmi, senior analyst for CollegeInsider.com and longtime NCAA coach, said in a statement. “His ability to instill confidence and execute a clear vision has energized the team. DeVries’ leadership has been nothing short of impressive, setting a strong foundation for a possible run in March.”
WVU broke into the AP Top 25 at No. 21 last week and already holds four victories over ranked opponents, defeating Gonzaga, Kansas and Arizona. The win at Kansas was West Virginia’s first-ever victory inside Allen Fieldhouse. Sunday’s win at Colorado gives the team as many road Big 12 victories already this season, two, as it had in the last three seasons combined.
The Mountaineers have done all this while missing star senior Tucker DeVries for the last month.
DeVries and the Mountaineers will vie for another signature victory when they host No. 2 Iowa State in the Coliseum Saturday at 5 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
For a related story, Arizona’s coach thinks WVU should extend Darian DeVries.