Double it and give it to a Rambler fan – former Loyola players as coaches that is. Former Rambler starting point guard, Keith Clemons has been added on the staff in a new role, Director of Player Development. This new position that Loyola has created t reports directly to the Head Coach, Drew Valentine. This individual is responsible for preparing student-athletes for personal, academic and athletic development success. This role is responsible for adhering to and knowing all Department and University policies and procedures, as well as the rules, regulations, bylaws and interpretations of the Atlantic 10 Conference and NCAA.
After previously adding Clayton Custer and Will Bailey to the coaching staff as Assistant Coaches. The next addition to the Ramblers staff, Keith Clemons, worked as a Graduate Assistant on the same team that Custer knocked off in the NCAA Tournament, the Volunteers. Keith was a part of a team that finished 25-11 and made the Sweet Sixteen this past year. After being a major component to the Ramblers his first two seasons from 2019-2021. He battled through knee injuries in the 2021-22 season, but still had some big moments and was an obvious leader on and off the court. In addition to Welch and Norris, two other Ramblers were on the 21-22 team with Clemons – Ben Schwieger and Will Smythe. We’ll have to wait and see what the responsibilities of the Director of Player Personnel are, but we’re happy to have Keith back in the Maroon and Gold!
Drew didn’t waste much time in adding three crucial members to his staff for this upcoming year in Clayton Custer, Will Bailey and Keith Clemons. Something that we’ve mentioned on the last episode of our Podcast (https://tinyurl.com/Pod63) is that it seems clear that Drew wants to get back to how the Ramblers found success in the past: defense, smart shot selection, and limiting turnovers. Custer, Bailey, and Clemons are a direct continuation of that theory. While we are happy to add an experienced Atlantic 10 coach to the fray. It’ll also be nice welcoming Custer and Clemons back to the bench for our Ramblers. Custer with his Big 12 experience and Clemons with some SEC experience.
