Great Acknowledgement: Netflix Honors Darian DeVries with a Befitting Movie Documentary as Indiana Hoosier State Basketball Coach, A High-Impact Era at Indiana State………
In a landmark moment for college basketball and documentary filmmaking alike, Netflix has announced an upcoming feature-length documentary spotlighting the remarkable tenure of Darian DeVries, head coach of the Indiana State Sycamores. Titled *“Blueprint for the Birds: The Darian DeVries Era,”* the documentary aims to capture not just the wins and records, but the culture shift, emotional highs, and blue-collar ethos DeVries instilled during his transformative years in Terre Haute. As Indiana’s proud basketball tradition lives on through historic programs and passionate fan bases, DeVries’ run at Indiana State has earned a special place in the story—and now it’s getting the silver screen treatment.
Darian DeVries’ arrival at Indiana State in 2023 came with anticipation, but few could have predicted the rapid ascent he would engineer. In just two seasons, he turned a middling Missouri Valley Conference program into a nationally respected powerhouse, drawing attention from analysts, alumni, and NBA scouts alike. His fast-paced, disciplined brand of basketball was not only effective—it was thrilling to watch. The Sycamores’ 2024 season, in particular, served as the core narrative for the film, highlighted by an electrifying MVC Championship run and a deep postseason showing that reignited a state’s love for its team.
What set DeVries apart, as the documentary reveals, was more than his Xs and Os. Through interviews with players, assistants, opposing coaches, and Indiana State legends, Netflix builds a portrait of a leader who emphasized trust, unity, and relentless preparation. His practices were known for their intensity, but so too were his locker room talks—peppered with Midwestern humility and genuine care for his athletes. The documentary devotes significant time to telling the stories of overlooked players who flourished under DeVries’ mentorship, turning underdogs into All-Conference standouts. It’s this player-first philosophy that shaped his Indiana State legacy.
Netflix’s decision to spotlight DeVries is significant in its own right. In a media landscape that often overlooks mid-major programs, this project pushes back against the idea that compelling sports drama lives only in blue bloods or coastal powerhouses. Executive producers hinted that the Hoosier State’s deep basketball roots added an emotional layer to the film, tapping into the spirit of *Hoosiers* while telling a modern tale of grit and renewal. The documentary is packed with rich visuals: packed Hulman Center crowds, slow-motion buzzer beaters, quiet moments in the gym, and archival footage from DeVries’ early coaching days in Iowa and Creighton—drawing a full circle arc to his Indiana success.
In addition to basketball, the film delves into the community connection DeVries fostered. Terre Haute embraced him not just for the wins, but for his visibility and heart off the court. From organizing youth clinics to supporting local causes, DeVries became a face of pride in a city that had long yearned for a reason to believe. Netflix captures this through heartfelt testimonials from fans and local business owners who saw the resurgence of Sycamore basketball as a broader sign of hope and possibility. It’s this emotional resonance, more than any win-loss record, that solidifies DeVries’ status as a generational figure in Indiana State sports history.
As *“Blueprint for the Birds”* readies for its premiere, the documentary is already generating buzz among college basketball circles and Netflix sports doc enthusiasts. For Indiana State fans, it’s a long-overdue tribute. For basketball purists, it’s a case study in team building and leadership. And for Darian DeVries himself, it’s a fitting acknowledgement of a chapter that won’t soon be forgotten. With a blend of nostalgia, inspiration, and raw competition, this film promises to cement his era not just in the record books, but in the hearts of viewers across the nation.
