Weiss: Joyce Is Duquesne’s Only Choice

OMAHA, Neb. — While Keith Dambrot sat at the podium, two men quietly stood off to the side in a move which could foreshadow Duquesne’s men’s basketball future.

The pair stood in close proximity and despite no interaction and still leaving separately, walked in rhythm back towards the locker room.

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Those two men were Vice President of Athletics Dave Harper and presumed coach-in-waiting Dru Joyce III.

Hopefully, Joyce’s soon-to-be hiring is the worst kept secret in college athletics because if not the consequences could be disastrous.

After a six-win season two years ago, Dambrot had his discussions with the few that returned and Joyce, who was on Cleveland State’s staff after a decorated professional career, applied for the head job.

He did not get it and Dambrot called Joyce right away to bring him on staff.

It was clear from day one that Joyce was being prepared to take over Dambrot’s position when it was time to move on.

Joyce would do the radio postgame show every day developing a rapport with Ray Goss, Jarrett Durham and Tim Benz.

He also would be active, occasionally putting the sneakers on for practice and even competed in some student manager games.

On occasion, Joyce would also accompany Dambrot to press conference, an attempt to build relationships with those who cover the program and get a sense for how to handle postgame questions.

This year Joyce’s work on the defensive side of the ball was a key towards the turnaround and another sign of trust from Dambrot, someone who prides his teams getting it done on the defensive end first and transitioning that to offense.

Joyce further sharpened his voice in the locker room with Dambrot allowing him to challenge the team on many occasions.

Kareem Rozier discussed when Joyce lit into the team at halftime of the team’s game in Akron against Bradley.

He admitted that Joyce challenged his team to defend and was unafraid to be colorful when challenging the team. Duquesne responded and that set the seeds foreshadowing what was to come.

For his part, Dambrot admits something similar.

To know Joyce is to know that he is competitive in everything that he does. Frequently after practices, Joyce would play a game with David Dixon in which both would count down from three, bump the basketball off of each other and try to make a shot before the other. Often it would be to a set score and best of three.

Each would react when the other scored a basket.

Joyce was a big part behind the scenes of making this season possible and outwardly has a demeanor which does not show frustration or impatience.

Dambrot has made it clear that he wants Joyce to be Duquesne’s coach and smacked everyone on the face with it by mentioning the next coach, pausing for effect and everyone looking in his direction.

Though Harper did not want to make that announcement yet it appears that his mind is made up.

That being said, while other candidates may or may not have been looked at, there is only one choice and it is so incredibly obvious.

Joyce is well connected, has the passion for the job, knows what it takes to win and of course has Dambrot’s full support.

Even before the nine-game winning streak which culminated in the program’s first NCAA Tournament berth since 1977 and first NCAA Tournament victory since 1969, this was the obvious choice.

Duquesne has accomplished 20-win seasons in each of the past two seasons and not many thought that could be done.

People called Dambrot crazy for taking the Duquesne job, but he had a vision, saw it through and got rewarded.

Duquesne fans have come through the woodwork and momentum is at an all-time high, which is only further reason that this cannot be overthought. This cannot be screwed up.

Dru Joyce III is the clear and obvious voice. The clear and obvious choice.

If Joyce is indeed chosen it could keep much if not all of the coaching staff intact and sends the message to a hungry returning group that in a time of NIL and transfer portal, Duquesne is a safe place that practices what it preaches.

Any choice but Joyce may very well set this program back another 47 years.

If Joyce is not chosen, then you are desecrating all Dambrot has done throughout his time and what he has built on but far more importantly off of the court.

As important as Duquesne’s recent run has been, the decision to move Joyce the proverbial chair over may be even more critical for pure continuity’s sake.