West Virginia’s Promising Season Turns Sour
Things were looking positive for West Virginia until the middle of March. Although some questioned the decision to rehire Rich Rodriguez as head coach for the football team, his candidness about previous issues and apparent enthusiasm for his university won over many fans during the winter.
The basketball team was also experiencing a wave of optimism. New head coach Darian DeVries made remarkable strides since taking over last March. He brought in 14 new players, revamped the coaching staff, and led the Mountaineers to 19 wins, with 10 of those victories coming in Big 12 games. This success placed the team in various NCAA Tournament projections, stepping out from under former coach Bob Huggins’ shadow.
However, everything shifted dramatically during the NCAA Tournament bracket reveal on March 16, when West Virginia’s name was notably absent from the list of 68 selected teams.
The ensuing frustration and disbelief among fans were palpable. The state’s governor went so far as to threaten legal action while standing by a sign labeled “National Corrupt Athletic Association.” Compounding the chaos, less than a year into his tenure, DeVries was rumored to be a candidate for the vacant Iowa basketball coaching position, followed by speculation about his interest in Indiana’s job.
Just 48 hours post-snub from the NCAA Tournament, DeVries accepted a position with Indiana. EerSports’ Mike Casazza described the situation, saying, “You go from the highs of everything going well, football and basketball are at least on track, to an NCAA Tournament snub overshadowed by bigger brands like North Carolina and Texas. And then, your coach goes to Indiana, a bigger program. It feels like West Virginia often faces the worst outcomes at the most unexpected times.”
Initially, West Virginia fans felt sorrow for DeVries and the team, who worked diligently to achieve a 19-13 overall record, including significant victories over renowned teams like Gonzaga, Arizona, and Kansas. Star player Javon Small, a transfer from Oklahoma State, gained popularity and was named to the first-team all-Big 12. Fans were outraged when NCAA Tournament committee chair Bubba Cunningham, who is the AD at North Carolina, claimed that Tucker DeVries’ injury influenced their selections, ignoring that the Mountaineers had played all their Big 12 games without him.
After DeVries and his son departed for Indiana, fan sentiment swiftly turned from disappointment to anger. “They just felt terrible for a guy like Javon Small,” noted Casazza. “Now emotions have shifted from sympathy and disappointment to sheer anger. People are saying, ‘We don’t want the dad or the son anymore. Just get them out of here.’
Although frustration remains, hope for the future exists. West Virginia has gained over $6 million due to DeVries’ buyout by Indiana, which they can utilize to address expenses and potentially seek a high-profile head coach, using those funds to negotiate around buyouts.
It’s important to note, however, that the West Virginia basketball program is not in disarray. Since the 2014-15 season, they have ranked in the AP Top 25 six times. The same infrastructure that allowed DeVries to rejuvenate the program continues to be in place, offering a solid foundation for his successor.
