Darian DeVries rounds out his first IU basketball staff with eight hires to support staff

Indianapolis Star

2 days ago

BLOOMINGTON – IU basketball on Thursday announced an eight-person support staff ahead of Darian DeVries' first season as coach.
Officializing those hires rounds out DeVries' coaching staff in Bloomington. Most have already been confirmed, but Thursday's announcement formalizes the group, as follows:
∎ Mike Bargen, special assistant to the head coach
Bargen comes to IU after 10 seasons spent at Bradley, where he served as associated head coach. The Braves won 196 games and three combined regular-season and conference tournament titles in his time on staff.
∎ Ryan Horn, head strength and conditioning coach
Horn joins DeVries from West Virginia, and he spent time with IU's new head coach in the same position at Drake as well. Horn also worked at Wichita State, Wake Forest and Tulsa, among other stops.
∎ Andrew Vereen, athletic trainer
Vereen might be the most notable name on the list, given he replaces longtime and beloved former head trainer Tim Garl. Vereen spent five years working as a trainer at Drake, where he worked with the Bulldogs' men's basketball, cheerleading, women's soccer and softball programs at various points.
∎ Justin Bailey, director of player personnel
For four years an assistant coach at Sam Houston State, Bailey spent last season as the BearKats' associate head coach before making the switch to Bloomington. During his time in Huntsville, Bailey helped develop, among others, current Hoosier Lamar Wilkerson, who transferred to IU in the spring.
∎ Garrett Sturtz, director of operations
An Iowa native, Sturtz has been with DeVries since his playing career at Drake. Sturtz first walked on with the Bulldogs before eventually setting program records in games played, games won and career rebounds. Sturtz served as a graduate assistant for one year in Des Moines before joining DeVries as director of operations last winter at West Virginia.
∎ Jalen Cannady, video and player development analyst
Cannady spent last season working in a similar role for DeVries at West Virginia, and he has experience coaching both in college the NBA G League as well. He spent the 2023-24 season working as a player development coach and video coordinator for the Birmingham Squadron, New Orleans' G League affiliate.
∎ Jackson Creel, graduate manager
Creel spent the past two seasons as a walk-on at IU, earning academic All-Big Ten honors during his playing career. He is originally from Illinois, where he was an All-Southern Illinois Team selection in high school.
∎ ShanQuan Hemphill, graduate manager
Hemphill is the last former Drake player to join DeVries' staff, having played for Indiana's first-year coach from 2020-22. The Michigan City native was a second-team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection during his playing career, and he spent time playing overseas after finishing college.