PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – While one of the features of hiring Keith Dambrot was the relationship of being LeBron James’ high school coach. The man who was LeBron’s high school teammate and good friend is the next Duquesne head coach.
“I’m proud to announce! As the unquestioned source I am confirming that Dru Joyce is the new HC at Duquesne University and is meeting with the team right now! So damn happy and proud of you my brother!!!” said LeBron on X Thursday afternoon.
The school also made it official naming Joyce III named the Dukes head coach. He will be officially introduced on Monday as Duquesne’s 18th head coach in 108 seasons of men’s basketball.
"I'm very pleased to have Dru as our next head men's basketball coach at Duquesne University," said Duquesne Director of Athletics Dave Harper in a statement released by the school. "Knowing of Coach Dambrot's potential retirement, a full vetting and search process was launched. Dru exhibited a clear vision for our program going forward and understands the challenge of keeping our recent success a possibility in the years ahead. It's now imperative that we support him, his staff and the program with all that is needed to continue to be successful."
Joyce spent the last two years as the Dukes associate head coach when the team went 45-25 including a first NCAA Tournament appearance in 47 years and first NCAA victory in 55 seasons. Prior to Duquesne, Joyce spent three seasons as recruiting coordinator and assistant coach at Cleveland State. The new Dukes head coach played for Dambrot for three seasons at the University of Akron.
"I've wanted to be an NCAA Division I head coach since I was 14 years old, so I'm overwhelmed with joy to be named the next head coach at Duquesne University," Joyce III said in a statement released by Duquesne. "I'd like to thank Duquesne University President Ken Gormley, Director of Athletics Dave Harper and the Board of Trustees for this unbelievable opportunity. I'm looking forward to expanding on the legacy that Keith Dambrot has built the last seven years, and I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue to make an impact with the student-athletes, coaches and staff to make our program one that Duquesne and the surrounding region can be proud of."
"Dru Joyce III has proven his abundant talent as a coach," Duquesne University President Ken Gormley said. "He's been a key figure in the recent success of the Duquesne men's basketball program, alongside Keith Dambrot, that culminated this year in the exciting Atlantic 10 Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance, re-energizing men's basketball at Duquesne and in Pittsburgh. Dru is already a respected, valued and admired member of the Duquesne family. For that reason, this was an easy decision. Dru will carry forward the great work of Coach Dambrot and continue to usher in an exciting new era of Duquesne basketball that will allow our impressive team of student-athletes to shine on a national stage."