Indiana University Hires Darian DeVries as New Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Replacing Mike Woodson
In a stunning turn of events that has captured the attention of college basketball fans across the nation, Indiana University has officially announced the hiring of Darian DeVries as its new head men’s basketball coach. DeVries, who has only spent one season as an assistant coach at West Virginia, takes over the program from Mike Woodson, whose tenure at Indiana has come to a surprising end.
The decision to hire DeVries, 44, comes amid a period of significant change within the Hoosiers’ basketball program, a program rich in tradition and history. Indiana basketball has long been a powerhouse in the sport, producing multiple national championships and sending countless players to the NBA. However, after a turbulent few seasons, the university’s athletic department has decided to make a bold move in hopes of revitalizing the program.
DeVries, whose coaching career has mainly been spent as an assistant and in lower-profile programs, emerged as a potential candidate after his brief stint at West Virginia. Prior to that, DeVries had built an impressive resume at the University of Northern Iowa, where he served as the head coach for nearly a decade. Under his leadership, UNI experienced some of the best seasons in its history, including a trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2021. His ability to develop players and run a competitive program at a mid-major school caught the attention of athletic directors and basketball insiders across the country.
The hire has come as a surprise to many who expected Indiana to go after a more established coach with a longer track record of success at a higher level. Woodson, who took over the program in 2021, had a mixed tenure at best. Despite showing some early promise, Woodson’s teams struggled with consistency, and after a disappointing 2024 season, speculation about his job security had been growing.
Indiana Athletic Director Scott Dolson expressed his excitement about the hire, noting that DeVries’ background in player development and his ability to create a cohesive team culture were key factors in the decision-making process. “We are thrilled to welcome Coach DeVries to Bloomington,” Dolson said in a statement. “His passion for the game, his commitment to building strong relationships with players, and his track record of success make him the ideal person to lead our program into the future.”
DeVries himself spoke to the media after the announcement, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity and his excitement about the challenge ahead. “Indiana University is a place that holds a special place in the heart of every basketball fan,” DeVries said. “To be able to lead this program is an incredible honor, and I am fully committed to bringing Indiana basketball back to the level of excellence that this fanbase deserves.”
The 2024 season was a particularly difficult one for the Hoosiers. After a promising start, the team struggled in conference play, culminating in a first-round exit in the Big Ten Tournament and a failure to secure an NCAA Tournament bid. The Hoosiers’ offense was inconsistent, and they failed to capitalize on key opportunities in close games. Under Woodson’s leadership, Indiana had hoped to return to its former glory, but the program’s struggles ultimately led to his departure.
As for Woodson, his future remains uncertain. After just three years at the helm of his alma mater, he is now seeking his next opportunity in the coaching world. While Woodson’s time at Indiana was short-lived, he will always be remembered as a former player who helped shape the program’s rich history in the 1980s. However, his inability to navigate the current landscape of college basketball and lead the Hoosiers back to prominence ultimately cost him his job.
The DeVries hire is part of a broader trend in college basketball, where universities are increasingly looking to hire younger, dynamic coaches with proven ability to adapt to the ever-changing college basketball landscape. DeVries, who has a reputation for fostering team chemistry and player development, will look to build a program that not only competes at the highest level but also connects with the passionate fanbase that is synonymous with Indiana basketball.
Looking ahead, DeVries will have his work cut out for him. Indiana is in a highly competitive Big Ten conference, and the Hoosiers will need to recruit top-tier talent and build a program that can compete with the best teams in the nation. However, DeVries has shown that he has the ability to succeed in challenging environments, and many believe he could be the one to bring Indiana basketball back to the forefront of college hoops.
As the news of DeVries’ hiring reverberates throughout the college basketball world, all eyes will be on Bloomington to see if he can live up to the high expectations and lead the Hoosiers back to the upper echelons of college basketball. The Indiana faithful will no doubt be hoping that the DeVries era brings new energy, success, and ultimately, a return to the program’s championship-winning ways.
