The Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team, hailing from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, competes in NCAA Division I basketball under the guidance of head coach Darian DeVries. Known for their historic 1969 Final Four appearance, the Bulldogs have a rich legacy dating back to 1906. DeVries, appointed in 2018, revitalized the team with a championship win in his debut season. Recent achievements include back-to-back 20-win seasons and a thrilling return to the NCAA Tournament in 2021 after a 13-year absence.
Drake Men's Basketball Head Coach 2024
Head Coach: Darian DeVries
Since taking on the role of head coach for the Drake Bulldogs in March 2018, Darian DeVries has navigated the team through an impressive journey filled with significant achievements. Notably, he earned the MVC Coach of the Year title in the 2018-2019 season, leading the team to a commendable 20-win record despite player injuries. DeVries made history the following season by guiding the 8-seed to victory over the 1-seed in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament, and in 2020-2021, he orchestrated an unprecedented 18-0 start, securing the team's first at-large NCAA Tournament bid in years. His leadership culminated in his 100th win with the team in the 2021-2022 season, solidifying his reputation as a distinguished collegiate basketball coach, admired for his strategic acumen and team-building skills.
Darian DeVries' Physical Attributes
| Age | April 7, 1975 (48 years old) |
| Height | Not disclosed |
| Weight | Not disclosed |
Darian DeVries Age
Darian DeVries, born on April 7, 1975, brings 48 years of experience and leadership to the helm of the Drake Bulldogs men's basketball team.
Darian DeVries Height
No information is available regarding the height of Darian DeVries.
Darian DeVries Weight
No information is available regarding Darian DeVries's weight.
Drake Basketball Head Coach Year by Year
In its 115-season history, the Drake Bulldogs men's basketball program has been guided by a total of 30 head coaches.
| Coach | Tenure |
| Charles Pell | 1907–1909 |
| John Griffith | 1910–1914 |
| A.R. Hackett | 1911–1912 |
| Ray Whisman | 1915–1916 |
| Ralph Glaze | 1917–1917 |
| S.W. Hobbs | 1918–1918 |
| Mark Banks | 1919–1921 |
| Ossie Solem | 1922–1925 |
| Bill Boelter | 1926–1932 |
| Evan O. Williams | 1933–1943 |
| Bill Easton | 1944–1944 |
| Vee Green | 1945–1946 |
| Forddy Anderson | 1947–1948 |
| Jack McClelland | 1948–1958 |
| John Benington | 1957–1958 |
| Maury John | 1959–1971 |
| Howard Stacey | 1972–1974 |
| Bob Ortegel | 1975–1981 |
| Gary Garner | 1982–1988 |
| Tom Abatemarco | 1989–1990 |
| Eddie Fields | 1990–1990 |
| Rudy Washington | 1991–1996 |
| Kurt Kanaskie | 1997–2003 |
| Tom Davis | 2004–2007 |
| Keno Davis | 2008–2008 |
| Mark Phelps | 2009–2013 |
| Ray Giacoletti | 2014–2017 |
| Jeff Rutter | 2017–2017 |
| Niko Medved | 2018–2018 |
| Darian DeVries | 2018-2023 |
Drake Men's Basketball Coaching Staff 2024
| Title | Name |
| Head Coach | Darian DeVries |
| Assistant Coach | Marty Richter |
| Assistant Coach | Tom Ostrom |
Assistant Coach
Marty Richter
Marty Richter has been an integral part of the Drake Bulldogs coaching staff since May 2, 2018.
Known for his exceptional work with post players.
Led the team to significant successes over the past five seasons.
Notable achievements include coaching players to conference honors and Division-I scholarships.
Tom Ostrom
Tom Ostrom joined the Drake Bulldogs coaching staff on July 1, 2022, bringing a wealth of experience from various top-tier programs.
Most recently served as the associate head coach at Indiana University.
Recognized for strong recruiting and player development.
Played a key role in guiding teams to NCAA Tournament appearances and deep tournament runs.
Drake Men's Basketball Support Staff 2024
| Title | Name |
| Director of Athletics | Brian Hardin |
| Faculty Athletics Representative | Megan Brown, Ph.D. |
| Senior Associate Athletics Director - Strategic Initiatives and External Operations / Senior Woman Administrator | Megan Franklin, Ph.D. |
| Senior Associate Athletics Director/Franklin P. Johnson Director of the Drake Relays Director of Cross Country and Track & Field | Blake Boldon |
| Senior Associate Athletics Director - Advancement and Revenue Generation | Tim Tesar, Ph.D. |
| Senior Associate Athletics Director - Student-Athlete Excellence | Stephanie Sledge |
| Associate Athletics Director - Finance and Operations | Jay Brummel |
| Assistant Athletics Director - Compliance | Alex Crowl |
| Coordinator of Athletics Administration | Aaron Nederhoff |
FAQ's On Drake basketball coach
A. Ben McCollum is the current head coach of Drake Bulldogs Men's Basketball.
A. Darian DeVries held his head coaching role from 2018 to 2024.
A. Ben McCollums has coached for 15 seasons at Northwest Missouri State.
A. Josh Sash, Bryston Williams, and Connor Wheeler serve as assistant coaches for Drake Bulldogs Men's Basketball in the 2024/25 season.
A. Drake University competes in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) for basketball.
