In a significant shift within the landscape of college basketball, Darian DeVries has officially been named the head coach for Indiana University's men's basketball team. The announcement came on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, following DeVries' unexpected decision to leave West Virginia just one year after taking the position there. Previously seen as a primary candidate to replace Fran McCaffery at Iowa, DeVries' hire at Indiana now leaves the Hawkeyes scrambling to find a suitable head coach to lead them into a new era.
DeVries' journey in collegiate basketball has been marked by impressive accolades. He began his head coaching career at Drake in 2018 and quickly made a name for himself, achieving a remarkable overall record of 150-55 during his six seasons there. Under his leadership, the Bulldogs made it to the NCAA Tournament three times, winning at least 20 games each season. After a successful stint at Drake, he took the helm at West Virginia but faced a challenging season, finishing with a record of 19-13 while scoring notable victories over teams like Gonzaga and Arizona.
The decision by Iowa to part ways with McCaffery came shortly after their loss to Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament, where they suffered a 106-94 defeat on March 13, 2025. This marked a disappointing end to McCaffery’s tenure, which saw Iowa miss the last two NCAA Tournaments—a stark contrast to their past success.
Now that DeVries is off the board, athletics director Beth Goetz faces a pressing decision as she considers potential candidates to lead the Hawkeyes. Ben McCollum, the current head coach at Drake, has emerged as a potential frontrunner, given his Iowa roots and impressive record of 394–91 at Northwest Missouri State, where he captured four national titles. However, McCollum's current commitments with Drake's ongoing NCAA Tournament run mean he won't be available for an interview until at least March 20, 2025.
As Iowa moves forward with the search, they have a strict timeline. The NCAA transfer portal will open on March 24, 2025, and Iowa is eager to finalize their coaching choice before that date. The urgency stems from the need to bolster recruitment efforts, particularly in light of the stark payroll disparities in college basketball. Iowa's recent Big Ten Tournament gameplay highlighted the challenges they face; with a team payroll of only $1.5 million compared to Illinois's $7.5 million, it's clear that financial investments are necessary to compete at a higher level.
Current candidates mentioned also include Chris Jans of Mississippi State, who has demonstrated his ability to build competitive programs, and Steve Forbes, currently at Wake Forest, who, despite being close to 60 years old, has experience that appeals to the Hawkeyes. Other names floated in discussions include Chris Collins from Northwestern and Niko Medved from Colorado State, although the viability of these options varies.
For Iowa to succeed in the current climate of college athletics, there is an urgent need for increased resources to attract top-tier coaching talent. A notable disparity in revenue exists, as the Big Ten athletics directors are expected to allocate $20.5 million for direct-pay to athletes for the next school year, with a significant portion earmarked for football. Iowa will likely only direct $2.5 million of this fund towards men's basketball, leaving them at a competitive disadvantage relative to other programs.
In light of these challenges, maximizing the potential of existing investments, especially in NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) funds, is crucial for the incoming coaching candidate. Goetz must work closely with the Iowa SWARM Collective to secure at least $5 million in total funding to make Iowa competitive in the national landscape. This means combining institutional support with robust external funding to attract a suitable coach.
The future of Iowa basketball hinges on how quickly the athletic department can mobilize resources and make strategic decisions. As fans and stakeholders await updates on the next coach, the implications of this coaching search are profound. Not only does it affect recruitment and overall program direction, but it also has the potential to reinvigorate a fan base eager for success.
While DeVries' choice to join Indiana sets a new course for both programs, the stakes are high for Iowa. They need to find a coach who can navigate the shifting dynamics of college athletics while reviving the program's competitiveness.<\/p>
