Top candidates to replace Darian DeVries

After just one season in Morgantown, head coach Darian DeVries left to take the head coach spot in Indiana. Once again, for the third time in 21 months, Wren Baker is on the hunt for the next head coach for West Virginia basketball. 

Immediately, a handful of candidates stand out for the open opportunity in Morgantown. In no particular order, here is a list of early favorites to take the spot. 

Ben McCollum

McCollum, who is the current head coach at Drake, was even discussed as a candidate last season. He ended up taking the spot at Drake, replacing Darian DeVries. As a first year head coach, McCollum has led Drake to an impressive 30-3 record, winning the Missouri Valley Conference and finding an 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Prior to taking the job at Drake, McCollum was head coach of Northwest Missouri State, a Division II school. He was there for 15 years, winning four Division II national championships. McCollum’s quick success on the Division I level stands out as he is a top candidate for the Mountaineers on many people’s lists. 

Will Wade

Wade, who is current head coach at McNeese State, is an experienced coach having spent time coaching at Chattanooga, VCU, and LSU. During his time with the Tigers, Wade had a 105-51 record and led them to a Sweet 16 appearance during the 2018-19 season. He was fired shortly after the NCAA investigated recruiting violations that went on at LSU. Wade has led Mcneese State to the NCAA Tournament two years in a row, winning the Southland Conference both years. His record has been 49-8 the last two seasons. Wade has proved himself as a winner and many have hopes that he can bring that to Morgantown. 

Chester Frazier

Frazier, who came to Morgantown last season, has bounced around as an assistant coach since 2012. He got his first assistant coaching job at Kansas State under Bruce Weber. Frazier played under Weber at Illinois. He has also served as an assistant at Virginia Tech and Illinois. During his coaching career, he has proven himself as an efficient recruiter. Frazier was able to bring talents like Sencire Harris, Amani Hansberry, and Jonathan Powell to Morgantown. It is uncertain whether Wren Baker will take a chance with Frazier who has never had any head coaching experience or find someone with years of experience.

Ryan Odom

Odom, who is the current head coach at VCU, has decades of coaching experience in assistant and head coach jobs. Odom has had assistant jobs at Furman, American, Virginia Tech, and Charlotte. His head coaching journey began at Lenoir-Rhyne. After just one season, Odom picked up the head coach job at UMBC where he led the first-ever No. 16 seed victory over No. 1 seed Virginia in the NCAA Tournament. Odom then coached Utah State before finding himself at VCU. In his two seasons at VCU, he has led the Rams to the NCAA Tournament both seasons and has accumulated a record of 52-30. Odom’s years of experience stands out as he is a candidate for the job opening in Morgantown. 

Photo courtesy of @WVUCoachFrazier on X.