Darian DeVries Bio 2026: Age, Height, Spouse, Career, Stats, Net Worth & more
Darian DeVries—the fast-rising Indiana Hoosiers head coach—has rocketed from small-town Iowa farm chores to a six-year, $27 million Big Ten contract in just eight seasons as a head coach. Known for high-octane offenses and mid-major magic at Drake, the 50-year-old offensive “mastermind” now eyes national titles in Bloomington.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Darian Dale DeVries |
| Profession | College Basketball Head Coach |
| Birth Date | April 7, 1975 |
| Age (2026) | 50 |
| Birth Place | Aplington, Iowa, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Turning Drake into MVC powerhouse; 2025 Indiana hire |
| Ethnicity | White / Dutch-American |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | ~180 lb (82 kg) |
| Hair Color | Light Brown |
| Eye Color | Hazel |
| Qualification | B.A. Elementary Education, University of Northern Iowa ’98 |
| Religion | Christian (non-denominational) |
| Marital Status | Married to Ashley DeVries (since 1998) |
| Children | Tucker (2002) & Tatum |
| Hobbies | Youth camps, golfing, farm visits, family sports |
| Current Work | Head Coach, Indiana University Men’s Basketball |
| Years Active | 1998–present (coach) |
| Net Worth 2026 | ≈ $8 million (see salary section) |
Early Life & Education
Born and raised on an 80-acre hog farm outside Aplington (population ≈1,100), Darian fed pigs, baled hay, and walked beans before school—experiences he credits for his work ethic. The oldest of five athletic siblings, he tagged along with brothers Jared (future 12-year NFL defensive end) and Dusty (Iowa football) in constant backyard games.
At Aplington-Parkersburg HS he:
- Scored 1,802 career points on the hardwood
- Led the Falcons to back-to-back Class A state titles (1991-92)
- Earned all-state honors in basketball & quarterback
- Inducted into Iowa HS Athletic Association Hall of Fame 2015
He chose nearby University of Northern Iowa, starting 108 games at guard (1994-98), draining 44 % from three as a senior and graduating 31st on UNI’s all-time scoring list (1,084 pts) while twice making the MVC Scholar-Athlete team.
Career Journey
1. Creighton Apprentice (1998-2018)
- Graduate assistant → assistant coach under Dana Altman & Greg McDermott
- 20-year tenure: 460-211 record, 12 NCAA tournaments
- Key role developing National Player of the Year Doug McDermott
2. Drake Head Coach (2018-2024)
| Season | Record | Post-season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19 | 24-10 | CIT 1st round | MVC Co-champs; MVC COY |
| 2019-20 | 20-11 | — | 8-seed upset 1-seed UNI; COVID cancellation |
| 2020-21 | 26-5 | NCAA Rd-64 | Beat Wichita St; MVC COY |
| 2021-22 | 25-11 | CBI SF | — |
| 2022-23 | 27-8 | NCAA Rd-64 | MVC Tourney champs |
| 2023-24 | 28-7 | NCAA Rd-64 | School-record-tying 28 wins |
- 150-55 overall (.732), 79-33 MVC (.705)
- Six straight 20-win seasons (longest in program history)
- Three NCAA bids after only one in previous 47 years
3. West Virginia (2024-25)
- Inherited 9-win team; went 19-13 (10-10 Big 12) in one season
- Upset #3 Kansas, Gonzaga, Arizona; 5 wins vs NCAA-tourney teams
- NABC East District & Jim Phelan National COY finalist
4. Indiana University (2025-present)
- Signed 6-yr $27 M deal (≈$4.5 M/yr starting 2025-26)
- 2025 class ranked top-20 nationally within six months
- Career head-coaching ledger: 172-68 (.717) through Nov 2025
Personal Life
Darian married college sweetheart Ashley on April 5, 1998. The couple has:
- Tucker – star forward, two-time MVC POTY at Drake; now playing for dad at IU
- Tatum – multi-sport athlete (volleyball/basketball)
Family moves: Omaha → Des Moines → Morgantown → Bloomington. Off-season you’ll find them on golf carts, running free youth clinics, or back at the Iowa farm for “perspective,” as DeVries says.
Awards & Achievements
- 2× MVC Coach of the Year (2019, 2021)
- Hugh Durham National Mid-Major COY (2019)
- NABC East District COY (2025)
- Jim Phelan Award finalist (2025)
- 3 NCAA Tournaments (2021, 2023, 2024)
- Drake’s first NCAA win since 1971 (2021 vs Wichita St)
- Fastest IU coach to 10 Big Ten wins (2026)
Physical Statistics
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Wingspan | 6 ft 2 in (est.) |
| Shoe Size | 11 US |
| Body Type | Athletic-lean |
Quotes
- “I wasn’t the guy saying, ‘When is it my turn?’ I was comfortable learning every day—be happy where your feet are planted.”
— SI feature, 2025 - “We’re going to play fast, share it, shoot threes, and guard our tails off. That’s non-negotiable.”
— IU introductory presser, March 2025 - “Farm chores at 5 a.m. teach you that the ball doesn’t care what time you got up—it just wants work.”
— B1G media day, Oct 2025
Controversies
- Transfer Portal Churn: Critics note 14 WVU roster moves in 2024, but DeVries cites graduation & culture reset, not discord.
- Buyout Debate: Indiana paid $6.15 M to release him from WVU; some media called it “coaching inflation gone mad.” No NCAA or ethical issues attached.
Favorites
| Category | Choice |
|---|---|
| NBA team | Denver Nuggets |
| Offensive set | 4-out-1-in motion |
| Vacation spot | Gulf Shores, Alabama |
| Music | 90s country (garth brooks) |
| Dessert | Homemade cherry pie |
Salary & Net Worth 2026
| Year | School | Annual Base | Bonuses | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Drake | $627k | ~$150k | |
| 2024-25 | WVU | $2.8 M | $400k | |
| 2025-26 | Indiana | $4.5 M | up to $1 M | 6-yr $27 M deal |
Net-worth estimate (2026): ≈ $8 million
Sources: coaching salary, camps, Nike apparel partnership, Iowa farm rental income.
Interesting Facts
- Still holds Aplington-Parkersburg career scoring record (1,802 pts)
- Once beat 4-star recruit brother Jared in 3-point contest—on the farm barn hoop
- Drake’s 279 threes in 2018-19 smashed school record by 44
- Owns 160 acres of family farmland; rents to local co-op
- First IU coach since 1978 to bring his own son on scholarship
Social Media Links
- Twitter/X: @CoachDDeVries
- Instagram: @darian.devries
- Facebook: [ facebook.com/CoachDDeVries ]
- LinkedIn: [ linkedin.com/in/darian-devries ]
- IU Hoosiers profile: iuhoosiers.com/coaches/darian-devries
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How long has Darian DeVries been a head coach?
A: Since March 2018—eight seasons through 2025-26.
Q2: What is DeVries’ career head-coaching record?
A: 172-68 (.717) entering January 2026.
Q3: Why did DeVries leave West Virginia after one year?
A: Called Indiana his “dream job”; buyout covered by IU, no hard feelings.
Q4: Does Tucker DeVries play for his dad?
A: Yes—followed father Drake → WVU → IU, currently IU junior forward.
Q5: What offense does he run?
A: Pace-and-space 4-out motion emphasizing threes, rim attacks, high assist rate.
Q6: How much will he earn at Indiana?
A: Starts at $4.5 M in 2025-26, rises $100k yearly to ≈$5 M by 2031.
Conclusion
Darian DeVries’ climb from pre-dawn chores on an Iowa farm to the pressure-cooker spotlight of Indiana basketball is the sport’s quintessential 21st-century success story. With a $27 million vote of confidence, a top-15 recruiting class, and an offensive philosophy that modernizes Hoosier tradition, DeVries is positioned to chase Final Fours—and maybe a national title—before the decade closes.
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