Just hours after West Virginia men’s basketball announced the hiring of Darian DeVries, Drake athletics director Brian Hardin met with members of the media during an impromptu press conference at 9 p.m. Sunday.

“Certainly, a bittersweet day,” Hardin said of losing the team’s successful coach. “Kind of knew that this could come at some point, but (that) doesn’t make it any easier, personally or professionally, to see Darian leave.

“He came in and exceeded all of our expectations in terms of what was capable of being the head men’s basketball coach at Drake University.”

Hardin hired DeVries in 2018, a little over 100 days after Hardin had taken the job as Drake’s athletic director.

On Sunday, he expressed his appreciation for the impact DeVries had not only on the men’s basketball program but also on the university and Des Moines community.

Hardin shared that DeVries was open about coaching opportunities that popped up – and it was part of DeVries’ contract that he had to ask permission to talk to other schools. Hardin’s interactions with West Virginia athletics director Wren Baker occurred on Friday, one day after Drake was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament.

“I’ve known Wren Baker for a number of years, actually longer than I’ve known Darian,” Hardin said. “Wren called on Friday and wanted to get my thoughts. Darian deserved the opportunity to talk with Wren about his position, and I’m not surprised that Wren has offered him this opportunity.”

DeVries signed an 8-year contract extension with the Bulldogs in 2021. Hardin confirmed that there was a buyout clause – or a penalty for DeVries’ early departure – in his contract but declined to disclose the amount.

The Drake athletic director shared that he will start his search looking for candidates with energy, passion and vision. Most important, though, Hardin wants a candidate who wants to be the head coach at Drake.

“I’m not going to rush the hire just because of that,” Hardin said. “The portal works both ways – folks go, folks come. The important thing is that we get the right person in here. We need to move quickly, but I don’t want to hurry so fast that we end up hiring the wrong person.”