By Megan Bevins
In the heart of the Mountain State’s sports sector lies two beloved Division I schools—Marshall University and West Virginia University (WVU). Surrounding these universities are passionate fans, loving communities and vibrant cultures. This year, both schools have experienced a major change in their athletics—new head coaches for their men’s basketball teams.
In April, Marshall announced the hiring of Cornelius “Corny” Jackson as its new men’s head basketball coach. Jackson will replace coach Dan D’Antoni, who he previously worked alongside as assistant coach, following his 10-year run with the team.
Jackson, a West Virginia native, grew up in Oak Hill and developed a love for basketball around the age of 6. He attended Oak Hill High School and played on the basketball team, eventually becoming the 1996 West Virginia High School Player of the Year.
After graduating, Jackson began his college basketball career at the University of Tennessee. There, he played for one season before transferring back home to attend Marshall,
where he stayed until graduation.
Once he completed college, Jackson played internationally in Austria and Hungary before beginning what would be a long and fruitful coaching career. In total, he has coached through four seasons at Cleveland State University, four seasons at the University of Tennessee
at Martin and six seasons at West Virginia State University. He is now heading into his eighth season at Marshall.
Stepping into the role of head coach is something Jackson has worked toward since the beginning of his professional basketball career.
“Words can’t describe what it means to be the head coach at my alma mater in my home state,” he says. “Growing up in Oak Hill, WV, in the town of Harlem Heights has really helped shape me into the man and coach I am today.”
Jackson feels his long history with Marshall—which includes not only his playing and coaching experience but also that of his two daughters, Valessa and Tiarra, who are both Marshall graduates—will be helpful to him as he leads the team into the upcoming season.
“I have a unique perspective that I’m able to share with our current student athletes, potential student athletes and parents,” he says. “The love I have for this university as well as this community
runs deep, and I look forward to sharing that perspective now and for a lifetime.”
Jackson plans to foster clear communication within the team, ensuring everyone understands what they need to do to succeed. His main goal is to promote continuous learning as well as growth and development to benefit players both on the court and in everyday life. Jackson hopes to recruit quality student athletes who excel not only in basketball but in character
as well.
Jackson’s journey has not come without sacrifices like missed birthdays, weddings and graduations, but he knows it’s all part of the process and has brought him to where he is now, coaching at his alma mater. For that reason, he plans to nurture the special relationship between the team and the Marshall community.
“We understand that Marshall is the community, and the community is Marshall,” he says. “We are looking forward to engaging with our community, our fans and our alumni. Our plan is simple—do the work, whatever it takes.”
Photo by Marshall University Athletics
Meanwhile, in Morgantown, WVU has found its perfect match with Darian DeVries, whose role as the new men’s basketball head coach was announced in March, following Josh Eilert’s tenure as the 2023-2024 season’s interim head coach.
DeVries is from Aplington, a small farm town in Iowa with a population of around 1,000 people. He grew up playing sports, and his early experience playing basketball in high school prepared him for his collegiate career at the University of Northern Iowa.
After graduation, DeVries took a job at Creighton University as a graduate manager before being named full-time assistant coach in 2001. DeVries’ coaching journey then led him to Drake University, where he served as head coach. At Drake, he demonstrated his ability to build and lead a competitive team, earning respect in the collegiate basketball community.
During his time at Drake, DeVries compiled a record of 150-55 and led the team to the NCAA tournament three times. He spent six seasons with the team until his recent decision to accept the head coaching job at WVU.
With more than 27 years in the coaching profession, DeVries brings a wealth of skill and a commitment to continuous learning. He believes in using his experiences to grow as a coach and to help the team keep up with basketball’s constant changes.
“You always want to try to be as innovative as you can and continue to try and find new ways to challenge yourself, to expand on what you know and what you’re comfortable with so you continue to be with the modern age of basketball,” DeVries says.
Heading into the season team with almost an entirely new roster, he aims to integrate these principles at WVU by creating an environment that fosters improvement and self-evaluation.
“I think the biggest thing is, you must be very short-sighted in terms of the process of the day to day and knowing what that means,” DeVries says. “In the big picture of things, when you stack those days together, that hopefully leads to wins. I don’t think you can get too far ahead of yourself as you’re building a roster and putting the team together.”
DeVries also recognizes the importance of engaging with the WVU community and fans. He acknowledges their passion and dedication to the team and looks forward to getting to see that firsthand.
“As I looked into this job, they talked about what a great home atmosphere it is, and I think that’s critical when you’re trying to compete in a league like the Big 12—you have to have the home court advantage, and we certainly have that here,” he says.
To strengthen ties with the community, DeVries plans to be actively involved in various outreach initiatives. This includes participating in youth programs, fundraising events and other activities that allow him and the team to give back to their supporters.
One example of this is the Coaches Caravan, where WVU coaches and administrators will travel both in and out of state to meet with fans. DeVries believes that these engagements are
crucial for building a positive relationship with fans, alumni and local residents.
As both coaches embark on their new roles, they bring unique perspectives and experiences to their respective programs. With this new leadership, both universities hope to reach new heights in the coming seasons.
Photo by WVU Athletics Communications.
