'It's one of the biggest brands': Darian DeVries and Jim Rome talk Indiana basketball

Darian DeVries's staff and roster for Indiana basketball are coming together for the 2025-26 season.

DeVries recently appeared on The Jim Rome Show to discuss his departure from West Virginia after one season and his arrival in Bloomington.

IU basketball coach Darian DeVries on leaving West Virginia, going to Indiana

DeVries went 19-13 in his only season at West Virginia. The Mountaineers missed out on the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

"We loved our time there," DeVries said. "We had tremendous support. The people and the area treated us unbelievably well. The administration was fully behind it. Then it was just one of those things from a timing standpoint. When it's Indiana and you say it to yourself or anybody else, that brand and that opportunity and the resources and things here that give you every chance to be successful, it was just something I couldn't pass up. It felt like we could be incredibly successful here as we move forward and excited about this chance right now."

Darian DeVries on coaching at Indiana University

DeVries was hired by Indiana in mid-March to replace Mike Woodson. Woodson stepped down at the end of the 2024-25 season.

"Right now it's about putting a staff and a roster together," DeVries said. "Certainly it's been well received. Everybody is excited about Indiana basketball. As you know, it's one of the biggest brands in this sport. We're excited about assembling this group and looking forward to seeing what it looks like when it all comes out in the end."

He made his first coaching hire on March 31 when he brought on Nick Norton as an assistant coach. Conditioning coach Ryan Horn was also hired. Both followed DeVries from West Virginia. Cincinnati assistant Drew Adams, was expected to be confirmed soon as well.

DeVries' son, Tucker, followed his father to IU from West Virginia via the transfer portal. Conor Enright, who played for DeVries at Drake, also pledged his commitment to the Hoosiers.