MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Darian DeVries will be introduced as the 23rd men’s basketball coach at West Virginia come 11 a.m. Thursday.
Four days later, DeVries begins working under the memorandum of understanding he agreed to Sunday, which outlines the specifics of a recently agreed upon five-year contract.
DeVries’ starting salary is $2.8 million for the upcoming 2024-25 season and it increases $100,000 each of the four years to follow, increasing to $3.2 million for the 2028-29 campaign.
Darian DeVries Memorandum of Understanding
Should West Virginia have a top six finish in the Big 12 Conference in either of DeVries’ first two seasons, he earns an automatic one-year-extension as well as another $100,000 bonus that would up his salary for the 2029-30 season to $3.3 million.
A $2.8 salary would be 10th among 14 Big 12 head coaches this season, while $3.3 million would rank fifth in the league, according to data obtained by USA Today.
DeVries, who leaves behind a six-season stint at Drake, will have his Bulldogs’ buyout covered by WVU, though that amount is not disclosed.
WVU provides DeVries with up to $100,000 in moving expenses and a maximum of $15,000 toward temporary housing over a 90-day period.
Additionally, DeVries is to receive a courtesy vehicle, up to 20 tickets for each home men’s basketball game, up to four tickets for each home women’s basketball game and football game and up to 10 tickets for each conference and NCAA Tournament contest that his team plays in, while his family will be afforded a membership to a golf club.
DeVries can earn bonuses based on performance, including $20,000 for a first-round NCAA Tournament appearance, $100,000 for Final Four qualification and $200,000 for a National Championship. A first-place Big 12 regular season or tournament finish earns DeVries $40,000.
DeVries is also eligible for $30,000 in the event he’s named Big 12 Coach of the Year and $50,000 should he be named National Coach of the Year by the NABC and/or Associated Press.
DeVries can earn between $10,000-$20,000 bonuses based on academic achievements, APR awards and season ticket sales.
If DeVries were to leave West Virginia for another job before April 30, 2028, he owes 37.5 percent of remaining compensation on his contract to WVU as liquidated damages. The date on that stipulation gets pushed back exactly one year in the event DeVries has earned the automatic extension.
Should DeVries be terminated without cause, West Virginia owes him 75 percent of total compensation remaining on the contract.