Darian DeVries isn’t exactly a household name in college basketball—yet. And that’s about to change. The head coach at Drake University has quietly built a serious contender in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC), and his team’s potential to break through in March Madness is no joke. People love to talk about the big programs and the bigger coaches, but DeVries is like that band you catch opening for a massive act—and then wish you’d discovered sooner. His style? Unflashy, but effective. His ability to get the most out of his players? Undeniable. All it takes is a few key victories, and suddenly, we’re all going to be talking about Darian DeVries.

The Quiet Storm at Drake

Before DeVries came to Drake in 2018, the Bulldogs were, let’s say, okay. They had some good years, but they weren’t exactly known for making noise in March. Enter DeVries. After a solid run as an assistant coach at Creighton, DeVries landed at Drake and immediately began turning things around. It was like watching someone take an old sedan and turn it into a classic muscle car. He wasn’t working with the biggest recruiting budgets or the flashiest facilities, but what he did have was a keen basketball mind and the ability to make any player fit his system. And it worked. Fast.

His approach isn’t about having a single superstar to carry the load; it’s about building a team. Think of it like a really good recipe. Sure, you need quality ingredients, but the magic happens when they all come together in perfect harmony. DeVries’ offense is all about ball movement, getting open looks from the perimeter, and spacing the floor well. It’s about making smart decisions—not just by his players but with each move he makes from the sideline.

But here’s the kicker: despite all this success, you still rarely hear about him in the same breath as the coaches at the Blue Bloods or the Power Five programs. And that’s fine. He’s content building something steady, something that could eventually surprise a lot of people. March Madness might be the stage that finally puts DeVries on the map.

The MVP of March Madness Upsets?

March Madness is famous for chaos. I mean, who doesn’t remember the 16th seed taking down the No. 1 in 2018? The beauty of the tournament is that literally anything can happen. Enter Darian DeVries. He’s the type of coach who could be the catalyst for one of those “holy crap, they beat who?” moments. He’s got a head for strategy, the ability to make in-game adjustments, and a calm demeanor under pressure that would put even the most seasoned coaches to shame.

Here’s where it gets interesting: DeVries’ Bulldogs play like a well-oiled machine, but they’ve got just enough unpredictability to throw even the best teams off guard. I’m talking about the kind of team that could pull off an upset with a last-second three-pointer, a well-timed press defense, or simply by out-executing a higher-seeded opponent. And March Madness? It thrives on exactly this kind of unpredictability.

Take Drake’s 2021 tournament run, for instance. The Bulldogs may have been underdogs, but they fought tooth-and-nail against USC in the first round, eventually falling short. But that game was a statement. Drake wasn’t just there to “participate”; they were there to win. And that’s the mindset that could carry them far in future tournaments. Sure, Drake’s not Duke or Kansas, but if you’re underestimating them, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Once you do that in the NCAA Tournament, it’s game over.

Player Development: DeVries’ Secret Weapon

Here’s a fun little anecdote: When I first heard about Darian DeVries, I assumed he was all about recruiting top-tier players and stacking his roster with five-stars. Wrong. DeVries has a knack for developing the talent he gets, turning “underdog” players into household names. That’s a rare gift in today’s recruiting-heavy world of college basketball.

Take Tucker DeVries, for example. I’ll be honest—I didn’t know much about him before he started lighting it up for the Bulldogs. He wasn’t a top-100 recruit, but under his dad’s coaching, Tucker quickly became one of the most dangerous players in the Missouri Valley Conference. His ability to shoot from anywhere on the floor, make plays off the dribble, and defend at a high level was a direct result of how DeVries had nurtured his skills. Tucker’s development didn’t happen overnight—it was a process of building confidence and refining his game.

There’s something really special about watching a coach mold raw talent into a polished player. Darian DeVries is doing just that at Drake. The program isn’t relying on one or two superstars; instead, they have a cohesive, balanced squad. And that might just be what gives them the edge when the pressure of March Madness kicks in.

Fun fact: Did you know that a lot of successful March Madness teams are built on this kind of balanced roster? I mean, yeah, it’s great to have one or two superstars, but the real magic happens when everyone knows their role, and everyone can contribute. That’s what DeVries has cultivated at Drake.

A System That Works

Okay, back to business. DeVries is known for running a system that values smart decision-making. His teams don’t rely on flashy plays or risky gambles. They’re built on execution. His offense spreads the floor, encourages ball movement, and relies heavily on spacing to create open shots. This type of offense can be a nightmare for opposing defenses, especially in a tournament format where teams often have limited time to scout and prepare for each other.

Defense? DeVries has that covered too. While his teams may not always be ranked as the top defensive squads in the nation, they play tough, fundamental defense. There’s a balance of grit and smarts. When the tournament kicks into high gear, it’s this kind of defensive consistency that can frustrate higher-seeded teams who are used to playing more wide-open styles.

Here’s the thing—DeVries is methodical. He’s not about the flash. He’s about setting up plays, executing those plays, and wearing down opponents over time. Think about it like a slow burn—by the time you realize you’re in trouble, it’s too late.

The Hidden Gem of the NCAA Tournament

You know how every year someone picks a random mid-major to go deep in their bracket, only to watch them crash out in the first round? Don’t do that with Drake. Trust me. I learned the hard way when I picked a similar school once, only to see my bracket fall apart faster than a soggy sandwich. But DeVries’ Bulldogs are different. They have the tools to succeed, the mindset to stay calm under pressure, and the strategy to get past teams that are more famous but less disciplined.

It’s not like DeVries is a stranger to the spotlight, either. He’s coached in plenty of big games, and I bet he’s waiting for the chance to take his squad on a deep run. I mean, if I were him, I’d be looking at the bracket thinking, “Yeah, it’s our time.”

With all that said, there’s a special kind of magic when a coach like DeVries gets his team into the big dance. He’s not getting the love he deserves—yet—but March Madness has a way of turning overlooked coaches into legends. Just ask the names that people never saw coming before they pulled off some of the most iconic upsets.

Ready to Shake Things Up

If you’re filling out your bracket this year, don’t sleep on Darian DeVries and his Drake Bulldogs. They might not have the flashy recruitment classes or the storied history of a school like Kentucky or Duke, but they’ve got something special. A coach who knows how to execute, players who know how to play together, and a system that works when it matters most.

And as for Darian DeVries? Maybe he’s not the first name you think of when it comes to March Madness coaching legends. But after this year, who knows? He could be the one everyone’s talking about.