Drake signs basketball coach Darian DeVries to 8-year contract extension

As the college basketball coaching carousel kicks into full gear, Drake is working to keep its men's head coach right where he is. 

Darian DeVries has signed an eight-year contract extension to remain the men's basketball coach for the Bulldogs through the 2028-29 season, Drake's athletic department announced Wednesday — on the eve of the program's first NCAA Tournament game since 2008.

In his three years at Drake, DeVries twice been named Missouri Valley Conference coach of the year. He has led the Bulldogs to three consecutive 20-win seasons (a feat accomplished only once before in program history), their first regular-season Valley title since 2008 and the momentous Big Dance berth. (It was also the first time in program history Drake made the NCAA Tournament as an at-large bid.)

More:Five facts on Drake men's basketball head coach Darian DeVries, Missouri Valley coach of the year

"I'm grateful for the faith that President Marty Martin and Director of Athletics Brian Hardin has shown in our staff and their confidence in the direction of our program," DeVries said in the release announcing his extension. "I'm thankful that we have the opportunity to build upon the foundation our staff and players have built the last three years."

Drake became used to its own men's basketball coaching carousel before DeVries was hired. Before him, Niko Medved coached for one year in Des Moines before taking the job at Colorado State. Ray Giacoletti went 32-69 from 2013-17 and resigned early in his fourth season, with interim head coach Jeff Rutter going 6-17 the rest of the year.

More:Drake basketball makes first men's NCAA Tournament since 2008, will play Wichita State

In 2008, after Drake's 28-5 season and its NCAA Tournament appearance, Keno Davis left for Providence after he, too, spent just one season with the Bulldogs.

Drake athletic director Brian Hardin has been open about his goal of turning Drake's men's program into a premier mid-major program since getting hired in October 2017. Hiring DeVries was one of his first major decisions in Des Moines.

"Coach DeVries has demonstrated that he is the perfect coach for Drake not only with historic results on the court, but with the way he has embraced our campus and community," Hardin said in the release. "President Martin and I are thrilled that he will continue to be our head coach for a long time and continue to impact our student-athletes and community."

More:What to know about Wichita State, Drake basketball's NCAA Tournament opponent

Extending DeVries will lessen, but not eliminate, chatter about the rising-star head coach getting hired elsewhere. His name was brought up as a fan favorite for Iowa State's vacancy, although UNLV head coach and former Cyclones assistant coach T.J. Otzelberger is considered the heavy favorite in Ames.

Drake is 25-4 this season. It will play Wichita State in one of the NCAA Tournament's "First Four" games Thursday at 5:27 p.m. It will air on TBS.

Matthew Bain covers recruiting and pretty much anything else under the sports sun for the Des Moines Register and USA TODAY Network.  Contact him at mbain@dmreg.com and follow him on Twitter @MatthewBain_.