Drake Basketball Coach Turns the Program Around
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Drake basketball coach Keno Davis has turned the program around in his three years at the helm. The Bulldogs have gone from worst to first in the Missouri Valley Conference and they’re currently riding a six-game Winning Streak
Davis has instilled a winning culture at Drake, and it’s paying off on the court. The Bulldogs are poised to make a run at the conference title and they could be a dangerous team in the NCAA tournament
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Drake’s new basketball coach
Drake University’s new basketball coach is turning the program around.
Since taking over the program in 2016, Coach Darian DeVries has led the team to back-to-back winning seasons, including a 19-win campaign in 2018-19 that resulted in a postseason berth.
DeVries has instilled a culture of hard work and discipline, and his team has responded by buying into his system. The results have been impressive, and Drake looks like a team that could be a force to be reckoned with in the Missouri Valley Conference for years to come.
The program’s turnaround
It’s been a long time coming, but the Drake men’s basketball team is finally back on track. Thanks to the hard work of Head Coach Darian DeVries, the Bulldogs are once again a force to be reckoned with in the Missouri Valley Conference
DeVries took over the program in 2016, inheriting a team that had won just nine games the previous season. But he quickly turned things around, leading Drake to a 21-win campaign in his first year at the helm. The Bulldogs have only gotten better since then, winning 28 games last season and reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time in five years.
This season, Drake is off to another strong start, currently sitting atop the Conference Standings with an 8-2 record. The team’s success is a credit to DeVries’ coaching ability and his commitment to rebuilding the program. With each passing year, it’s becoming more and more clear that Drake Basketball is back on track and poised for long-term success.
The team’s success
In just his second season as head coach Drake men’s basketball coach Darian DeVries has turned the program around. The team has already set a school record for wins in a season, and they’re poised to make a run in the NCAA tournament
DeVries has emphasized defense and Mental Toughness and it has paid off. The team is buying into his system and playing with confidence. They’re having fun too – something that was lacking under previous coaches.
The future is bright for Drake basketball and it’s all thanks to Coach DeVries.
The fans’ support
One major factor in the team’s turnaround has been the fans’ support. The increased attendance has helped create a more rowdy and energetic environment inside the arena, which has in turn helped give the team an extra boost of energy on the court.
The community’s response
In just a few short years, Drake University’s Basketball Program has gone from being one of the worst in the nation to one of the best. And the community has taken notice.
Fans have been packing the stands to watch the Bulldogs play and support the team. local businesses have been displaying Drake banners and signs. And students have been wearing Drake apparel with pride.
The transformation of the program has been due in large part to the hard work and dedication of Head Coach Darian DeVries. He took over a team that had only won nine games the previous season and led them to 21 wins and a berth in the NCAA tournament this year.
The community is rallying behind Coach DeVries and the Bulldogs as they continue their quest to make Drake Basketball a force to be reckoned with.
The media’s coverage
The media’s coverage of Drake basketball coach seems to have changed since he took over the program. There was a lot of excitement and support when he was first hired, but that has waned some as the team has struggled.
The school’s administration
Drake University’s men’s Basketball team was in a tailspin. After four losing seasons, the school’s administration decided it was time for a change. They turned to an unlikely candidate – 33-year-old Ray Giacoletti – to turn the program around.
Giacoletti had no previous head coaching experience at the Division I level, but he had been an Assistant Coach at the University of Iowa under Tom Davis. He also had head coaching experience at the Division II level, where he compiled a 73-21 record at St. Cloud State
Giacoletti was given a five-year contract and told to rebuild the Drake Basketball Program He started by revamping the team’s style of play. Under Giacoletti, the Bulldogs adopted a more up-tempo style of play that featured constant pressure on defense and keyed on transition baskets on offense.
The results were immediate. In Giacoletti’s first season, Drake improved its record to 15-13 and made its first appearance in the Missouri Valley conference tournament in five years. The Bulldogs then made back-to-back appearances in the NCAA tournament in 2008 and 2009 – something that had never been done before in school history.
Giacoletti was named Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2009, and he led Drake to a share of the Missouri Valley Conference regular season championship in 2009. He also became just the third coach in Missouri Valley Conference history to take two different schools to the NCAA Tournament (Iowa State and Drake).
In 2010, Giacoletti left Drake to become Head coach at Oklahoma State but he left behind a Drake Basketball Program that was on solid footing for future success.
The players’ development
Drake Men’s basketball coach Darian DeVries, has led the team to a historic season. The Bulldogs have set a school record for most wins in a season and have qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 51 years. DeVries has instilled a new culture within the program and has developed his players to reach their full potential.
Under DeVries’ guidance, Drake has become one of the top offensive teams in the country. The Bulldogs rank in the top 25 in several offensive categories, including points per game assists per game and Three-point shooting percentage. DeVries’ players have bought into his system and have thrived in it. Senior guard Nick McGlynn is one of the best examples of this. McGlynn was averaging just 9.5 points per game last season but is now averaging 18.7 points per game and is one of the leaders of this Drake team.
The development of his players has been key to Drake’s success this season. DeVries has taken players who were role players and developed them into stars. He has taken a team that was picked to finish last in the Missouri Valley Conference and turned them into an NCAA tournament contender. For his efforts, Darian DeVries is deserving of Coach of the Year consideration.
The future of the program
In just a few short years, Drake basketball coach Niko Medved has turned the program around.
When he arrived in 2016, the team was coming off a 3-27 season. But under his leadership, they’ve posted winning records in each of the past two seasons. This year, they’re off to their best start in more than a decade.
What’s behind the turnaround?
For one thing, Medved has recruited some very talented players. But he’s also instilled a new culture within the program, one that stresses hard work and dedication.
The results have been impressive, and Drake fans are excited about the future of the program. Thanks, coach Medved!
The impact of the coach’s success
In just a few years, Drake Basketball Coach has turned the program around. The team has gone from near the bottom of the conference to being a contender for the conference championship The coach has instilled a new level of discipline and commitment in the team, and they are now one of the most feared teams in the conference.
The impact of the coach’s success has been felt throughout the university. Enrollment is up, and donations to the school have increased. The university is now seen as a top destination for basketball recruits The coach has not only turned around the basketball program but he has also helped to raise the profile of the university as a whole.