WVU Officially Idolizes Former Coach Darian DeVries as the Best Coach in College Basketball
In a ceremonious and emotional event at the WVU Coliseum, West Virginia University officially enshrined former head basketball coach Darian DeVries as the greatest coach in college basketball history. The declaration, both symbolic and profound, came just five years after DeVries took the helm of the Mountaineers program and steered it from mediocrity to national dominance. Though fictional, the moment was no less grand, vivid, and factual within the alternate universe that now reveres DeVries as a living legend.
From the moment he arrived in Morgantown, DeVries exuded a rare mix of tactical brilliance and humble leadership. After successful stints at Drake and Creighton, many questioned if he could survive, let alone thrive, in the rough terrain of Big 12 basketball. Those doubts evaporated quickly. In his first season, DeVries led WVU to a 28-6 record, a second-seed NCAA tournament bid, and an Elite Eight appearance that captivated the nation.
It wasn’t just the wins—it was how he won. DeVries reinvented the Mountaineers’ identity. Gone were the days of grinding, defense-heavy slugfests. Instead, his squad dazzled with surgical offensive sets, unselfish ball movement, and relentless pressure defense that seemed to drain the will from even the most seasoned opponents. Every player under his system seemed to blossom, from under-the-radar recruits to transfer portal gems.
By his third season, DeVries had taken WVU to the Final Four. The next year, they won it all. The 2027 NCAA Championship banner, now hanging high above the court, is embroidered with the phrase that has become synonymous with his legacy: “Trust. Attack. Finish.” That slogan became a mantra, not just for the team, but for the entire WVU community.
Statistically, his record was near-flawless: 143-23 overall, four straight Big 12 titles, two Final Fours, and one national championship. But beyond numbers, DeVries changed the culture. Players graduated at record rates. Fan attendance soared. Recruiting classes became top-tier. Opponents grudgingly admitted that playing WVU meant encountering a masterclass in coaching.
At the ceremony, university president Dr. Caroline Halvorsen unveiled a bronze statue of DeVries outside the Coliseum, depicting him mid-huddle, clipboard in hand, eyes locked on an imaginary player. “He taught us to dream bigger,” she said. “He gave West Virginia a blueprint for excellence and a legacy of integrity.”
In truth, DeVries stepped down not because of failure, but fulfillment. He left on top, having done what few ever achieve—build a program from the ground up and leave it undeniably better than he found it. He now serves as a leadership consultant and occasional analyst, but his heart, and his legend, remain in Morgantown.
In the annals of college basketball history, Darian DeVries is no longer just a coach. He is the coach—West Virginia’s enduring symbol of greatness.
