Just when everyone thought West Virginia’smen’s basketball program was getting back on track and had the right coach in place to make them nationally relevant again, the coach up and left after just one year on the job.
The way DeVries handled his exit is a big reason why Mountaineer fans are upset. He essentially admitted that he was in talks with Indiana before the end of the season, left without giving WVU a chance to counter Indiana’s offer, and, of course, the management of his injured son, Tucker, who redshirted this season to return in 2025-26.
I have a big problem, as I’m sure many others do, with any coach talking to another school while their season is still ongoing. It’s unfair to the players and even the assistants on staff. There’s obviously no way that Indiana reached out after they found out WVU was snubbed from the tournament, had a few rounds of talks, negotiated a deal, and finalized a contract within 48 hours.
West Virginia University head coach Darian DeVries / Christopher Hall – West Virginia on SI
In all likelihood, DeVries had his mind already made up before the team watched the Selection Sunday show together. That’s a tough deal.
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But the bigger picture here is that a significant portion of the fan base fears that this could become a theme at WVU. An up-and-coming coach comes to Morgantown, has success, and bolts for a bigger opportunity where there is more money on the table.
It’s easy to see why many would think this way or have that fear, but let’s not overreact.
For a minute, put yourself in DeVries’ shoes. He’s from the Midwest and has always admired Indiana from afar. He saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead one of the most respected brands in all of college basketball. Again, it doesn’t excuse how the whole ordeal went down, but it also doesn’t mean that this is a stepping-stone job. If Indiana doesn’t come open or they don’t offer him, DeVries is back at WVU and building on a strong first year.
The right person who sees the value, the resources, and the commitment will be here for the long haul. It’s not going to become this never-ending revolving door. Plus, if you look around, all of the blue blood jobs are filled – Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, UCLA, Indiana, and UConn – have their guy and aren’t making a move anytime soon. Hubert Davis at North Carolina is really the only one who has an uncertain future but appears to be committed to him for the time being.
How do you ensure that the next guy sticks around? Someone who truly understands the “sleeping giant” West Virginia basketball is. Someone who understands how much the Mountaineers mean to the people in this state. And most importantly, someone who wants to plant roots and build here. Not have a strong year or two and look for something bigger. Wren Baker will find that guy.
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MORE STORIES FROM WEST VIRGINIA ON SI
Staying in House? Two Internal Options to Replace Darian DeVries
MAILBAG: Early Favorite for WVU Job, In-House Option, DeVries’ In-Season Talks + More
West Virginia Head Coach Candidates Coaching in the NCAA Tournament
West Virginia WR Requests Release From National Letter of Intent
A tiny West Virginia town has been left without a police department after every officer was fired following a dispute over an apparent break-in at the department’s evidence room.
The Barrackville Police Department announced in a Facebook post Tuesday that, effective immediately, every member of the department had been relieved of duty by the Barrackville Town Council and Mayor Tom Straight.
A former sergeant, identified only as Sgt. Hunt, told 12 News he arrived at the department Tuesday morning and found the evidence room had been broken into.
Barrackville, W.Va., was left without a police department after the town relieved every officer of duty. Barrackville Police Department / Facebook
Hunt said he immediately called a meeting with Straight and the town council.
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According to Hunt, council members had previously said they wanted to inventory the department without any officers present.
He also claimed a council member admitted to taking a set of police keys.
After accusing members of the town government of breaking into the evidence room, Hunt said he and the department’s only other officer were immediately removed from active duty.
Hunt said the department’s police clerk also resigned, leaving the town with no police staff. He said he informed the mayor and council that he would be seeking whistleblower protection.
The mass firing came less than a week after Barrackville Police Chief Zachary Freeburn resigned. Hunt said the chief quit over what he described as repeated clashes with the town council over how much control it had over the department.
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Former Barrackville Police Chief Zachary Freeburn resigned before the town’s entire police department was fired. Barrackville Police Department / Facebook
Marion County Sheriff Roger Cunningham told the station that deputies will continue responding to calls in Barrackville while the town of 1,288 people is without a police department.
Resident Isabella Pham said she hopes the turmoil comes to an end.
“I just think that the town right now is in a little bit of a mess,” Pham told the West Virginian Times.
“We’ve gone through a lot of different people, and I’m just hoping that at the end of this, we can get a little bit of stability, transparency and security, and get back to having a stronger community versus a town of pitchforks and torches.”
CHARLESTON, W.Va. –Governor Patrick Morrisey has appointed a new member of the state House of Delegates.
Shane Thomas Stack, of Triadelphia, was appointed Tuesday to represent District 4. Stack replaces former Delegate Bill Flanigan who resigned to join the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia following his election to the Division 2 seat.
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“Shane Stack is an outstanding choice to represent the families and communities of the fourth district,” Morrisey said in a release. “With his deep roots in the local community, his background as a business owner, and his proven experience managing municipal finances, Shane understands what it takes to support economic growth and advocate for working West Virginians. He will serve his constituents well in Charleston.”
In Morrisey’s release, it said that Stack has a diverse background in small business ownership, municipal finance, and higher education administration. Stack currently is the owner, licensed auctioneer, and certified appraiser for Frio Stack & Associates, as well as the owner of Island Pawn & Gun.
Stack previously worked as the Town Treasurer for West Liberty.
He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in General Business from West Liberty University.
MINGO COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Sentencing is underway for Timothy Kennedy, the man convicted of murdering West Virginia State Police Trooper Cory Maynard.
Trooper Maynard was shot to death in June 2023.
The jury found Kennedy guilty on all counts: first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree disarming a law enforcement officer, and two counts of first-degree attempted murder.
Shannon Litton has has that, plus your other top stories for Tuesday, July 7th.
