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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WSAZ) - West Virginia University has hired their 23rd head basketball coach in school history and he comes from a team who just made it to the NCAA Tournament. Darian DeVries is from Drake University where over the last six years, his teams went 150-55 and have been to the NCAA’s three times in that span. The Bulldogs lost to Washington State by five points in the first round of this years’ big dance. He also led Drake to six consecutive 20-win seasons and has a career .732 winning percentage as a head coach.

“I’m honored to lead this historic program which has an outstanding tradition and passionate fanbase,” DeVries said. “Gamedays in the WVU Coliseum are legendary, and the incredible support for Mountaineer Basketball is known nationwide. I look forward to building on the success of the program. “I would like to thank President Gee and Wren Baker for extending me this wonderful opportunity. My family and I are honored and thrilled to be a part of Mountaineer Nation. We have heard so many great things about West Virginia and its people, and we can’t wait to get there.”

“Coach DeVries is a phenomenal basketball coach and an even better person and possesses all the qualities we desired in the next leader of our men’s basketball program,” Baker said. “His teams play hard and smart and are efficient on both ends of the floor. He has proven to be a strong recruiter and developer of players but even more importantly, a leader with integrity who develops character in the young men he coaches. “I know that he and his wife, Ashley, and their children, Tucker and Tatum, will love and embrace West Virginians and West Virginians will love and embrace them. On behalf of the Mountaineer family, I want to welcome the DeVries family to Morgantown.”

DeVries will be formally introduced Thursday in Morgantown and it is a five year contract.