Why Is Indiana Coach Darian DeVries Facing Backlash Over His Controversial Non-Conference Lineup?

DeVries decided to make the move in silence, as voiceofmotown.com’s Brad Smith reported that he didn’t let players or coaches know he was leaving.

The only presumed challenging games on Indiana’s schedule are Marquette, Kentucky, Louisville, and Kansas State. This could be a safe strategy for first-year coach Darian DeVries, especially after last year’s disappointing season.The non-conference schedule for Indiana was released, and college basketball analyst Jeff Goodman called the Hoosiers out for their buy games.“Coach DeVries didn’t tell any of the players or coaches that he was leaving. We all found out by a notification on ESPN.” When asked if there was a team meeting before he left, the anonymous player said, “No.” Brad Smith wrote. “DeVries simply left without explanation and did not tell his players goodbye.”Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp“Not beating Indiana/DeVries up. Just stating a fact. Just think it’s better for the sport if there are fewer buy games—especially for the coaches who have job security, or are making big money, or with programs who have huge NIL resources,” Goodman added.The Indiana Hoosiers will look completely different this season at the head coaching position after moving on from Mike Woodson. The Hoosiers were able to pry away first-year West Virginia head coach Darian DeVries. This was a good hire, as he is one of the up-and-coming coaches in all of college basketball. When describing why he came to Indiana, he called it a dream job.“7 of 11 are buy games. That’s too many,” Goodman wrote.Goodman went on to further explain himself, adding that Indiana shouldn’t have that many easy games, especially being at the top of the NIL landscape in college basketball.“Obviously, my intention was to continue down that path and build on the progress we made during this first year. However, the opportunity to possibly be the head coach at Indiana came along—a dream job for anyone, but especially for someone who grew up in the Midwest watching the old Big 8 and Big 10 basketball,” DeVries said.Change is in the air for Indiana basketball as the Hoosiers say goodbye to Mike Woodson and say hello to Darian DeVries — fresh off his inaugural season with West Virginia, and already making waves as one of college hoops’ brightest new minds. DeVries didn’t just jump at the job; he called it a dream opportunity, especially for a Midwesterner who grew up idolizing the old Big 8 and Big 10 rivalries. But here’s where it gets intriguing: he kept his exit under wraps, leaving even his own squad blindsided — ESPN announced it before anyone else caught wind. As the non-conference slate is set, critics like Jeff Goodman are raising eyebrows over Indiana’s heavy reliance on buy games — seven out of eleven, to be exact — a strategy that might spark debate about competitiveness, especially given the program’s prominent standing in the NIL arena. With only Marquette, Kentucky, Louisville, and Kansas State presenting real challenges, it seems DeVries might be cautiously navigating his debut season after last year’s letdown. Intrigued? LEARN MORE