Darian DeVries had messy ending to West Virginia tenure, leaving players in the dark…DeVries simply left without explanation and did not tell his players goodbye.” It’s a disappointing ending to what was otherwise a great year…

Darian DeVries had messy ending to West Virginia tenure, leaving players in the dark…DeVries simply left without explanation and did not tell his players goodbye.” It’s a disappointing ending to what was otherwise a great year…

 

In what should have been a celebratory offseason for the West Virginia men’s basketball program, the Mountaineers were instead met with silence, confusion, and disappointment. Head coach Darian DeVries, who had just completed a successful first year at the helm, abruptly departed the program—without so much as a farewell to his players.

 

Sources close to the team confirm that DeVries left without giving his players or staff any formal notice. There was no end-of-season meeting, no goodbye text, and no public explanation. The players reportedly found out about his departure the same way the rest of the world did—through news reports and social media.

 

“It was just silence,” said one player, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We worked all year for him, bought into his system, and then he just disappeared. No explanation, nothing.”

 

DeVries’ departure comes after a surprisingly strong campaign in Morgantown. He took over a program in transition, stabilized the locker room, and led the Mountaineers to a winning season and a postseason appearance. For a fanbase still reeling from the tumultuous end of the Bob Huggins era, DeVries was seen as a breath of fresh air—a coach who could return WVU to national relevance.

 

But now, that optimism has been replaced with frustration and disillusionment.

 

University officials have yet to provide detailed comments on DeVries’ exit, though sources indicate that he accepted another head coaching opportunity elsewhere. Still, the lack of communication with players and staff has drawn criticism, especially in an era where transparency and leadership are more important than ever in college athletics.

 

“This isn’t how a leader exits,” said a former player under DeVries. “He preached accountability all year. He told these guys to trust the process, to be all in. And then he leaves without even a text? It’s just not right.”

 

Social media has amplified the backlash, with fans and alumni expressing disappointment not only in the suddenness of the move but in the manner in which it was handled. Many pointed out the emotional toll this kind of departure can take on young athletes who already face a high level of instability in today’s transfer-heavy college landscape.

 

Despite the messy ending, it’s important to acknowledge what DeVries accomplished during his short time at WVU. He brought structure to a fractured roster, got buy-in from players who were previously unsure of their roles, and laid a competitive foundation for the program’s future. Under different circumstances, he might have been remembered fondly.

 

But the way he left has left a stain on that legacy.

 

Now, West Virginia faces another coaching search, another transition, and another offseason filled with uncertainty. The players—many of whom committed to DeVries’ vision—are left wondering what’s next, and whether they can trust the next person who promises to lead them.

 

The university will need to act quickly and decisively to stabilize the program, but more importantly, they’ll need to rebuild the trust that has been damaged—not just with the players, but with the fans who have stood by through years of ups and downs.

 

Darian DeVries may have guided the Mountaineers through one of their most promising seasons in recent memory, but the way he walked away has left a bitter aftertaste. What could have been the beginning of something special now feels like another chapter of disappointment.