Darian DeVries is trending up in search for Michigan basketball head coach

The search for the next Michigan basketball head coach is picking up steam. It seems like we are getting down to the more serious names, although what happens in the NCAA tournament this week could change that.

A few Michigan basketball candidates are coaching in the tournament, starting with Darian DeVries of Drake. He is starting to gain more traction and according to Chris Balas of The Wolverine, he’s one of the names to watch going forward. Balas also hinted at mutual interest between the Wolverines and DeVries.

Michigan basketball coach search, Weds. evening update — names to watch closely 👀👀

On Dusty May, Darian DeVries, Amir Abdur-Rahim, LaVall Jordan, Bryce Drew and Niko Medved — and where things stand with each: https://t.co/8x40YuIig2 pic.twitter.com/lkCzgXiepv

— TheWolverine.com (@TheWolverineOn3) March 20, 2024

Darian DeVries makes a lot of sense for Michigan basketball

We have talked a lot about Dusty May and also Niko Medved, but not much about DeVries, yet. That’s going to change. The guy feels like a perfect fit for Michigan basketball. He’s coached at Drake for six seasons and never won fewer than 20 games. Five times, the Bulldogs have won at least 24 games and are making their third NCAA tournament appearance in four seasons.

DeVries was at Creighton for over a decade as an assistant under Dana Altman and Doug McDermott, so he’s known as a technician. The Wolverines are trying to find the next John Beilein and he could be the closest thing.

The Bulldogs have won the Missouri Valley Conference tournament twice and the regular-season championship once. So in six seasons, DeVries has led Drake to three NCAA tournaments, and three conference championships. That sounds like the kind of coach who could win with Michigan basketball.

As an added bonus, Tucker DeVries would likely join his dad and he’s the two-time MVC Player of the Year. This past season, the 6-foot-7 standout averaged 21.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.6 assists, while shooting 44 percent from the field. That could help jumpstart the rebuilding process.

There is a mixture of recruits and transfers signed by Drake over the past few years, but DeVries has won all these games without a top-100 recruit. His son was close but ranked just outside the top 100 according to the 247 Sports composite rankings.

More candidates to watch for Michigan

Keep an eye on DeVries. Another candidate who’s getting more chatter is Amir Abdur-Rahim, the South Florida head coach who also led Kennesaw State to the NCAA tournament.

Abdur-Rahim was also an assistant at Texas A&M and Georgia. His brother played in the NBA and is the G-League President. South Florida won the American conference title this season but missed the NCAA tournament after losing out in the postseason tournament. They won their first NIT game.

LaVall Jordan, a former John Beilein assistant and Butler head coach, before he was fired, was also mentioned, which doesn’t make any sense. That would be a sad state of affairs if the Wolverines pursued him as their head coach.

One who won’t be the head coach is Scott Drew. He announced he was staying at Baylor and while he’s not been mentioned as a Michigan basketball candidate, that should force Louisville to go all-in on Dusty May. The Wolverines might be able to win that battle, but frankly, I prefer DeVries anyway. He checks all the boxes.

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