Drew Valentine – Uniquely Ready

Loyola Chicago’s New Head Coach

(St. Louis, MO) – How does a 29-year-old become the head coach for the 12^th ranked team in the nation? Drew Valentine is uniquely ready for the job ahead. Porter Moser’s top assistant was elevated to the Loyola Chicago’s top spot Monday and met with us this week.

Valentine has spent the last four seasons on the LUC staff and spent the past two as the ‘defensive coordinator’. During those two seasons the Ramblers finished twenty-first and then first nationally in points allowed. He is uniquely ready.

While Moser and Loyola were becoming nationally recognizable, the inevitable overtures for Moser’s services elsewhere caused Director of Athletics Steve Watson to prepare for Moser’s  unwanted departure. Watson, Moser and Valentine had open conversations about a potential succession plan.

During Valentine’s introduction press conference, Watson said the two had been ‘interviewing for years’.

Valentine says nothing was guaranteed to him, but there was some expectation that this day could become a reality. As Moser’s move to Oklahoma was becoming a reality, the conversations increased.

 

 

Uniquely Ready – Coaching Pedigree

Valentine is part of a basketball family. His father, Carlton Valentine played collegiately at Michigan State and professionally around the world. Later he became both youth and high school coach to Drew and younger brother Denzel. Drew played collegiately at Oakland while Denzel starred at Michigan State and currently plays for the Chicago Bulls.

Drew’s career at Oakland saw him score over 1,000 points and play in the third most games in Golden Grizzlies’ history. From an early age and on into college, Drew Valentine was learning varying styles of successful basketball coaching.

 

 

After graduation, Valentine became a graduate assistant at Michigan State, where head coach Tom Izzo gave him more responsibility than the typical GA. Izzo’s relentless approach and family atmosphere left their mark.

 

 

His apprenticeship with Moser took those other lessons to another dimension. Moser’s ‘created by culture’ mantra is reflected in the way players are treated, trained and accepted. Valentine says Moser’s approach is filled with ‘class’ and is about ‘the whole person’.

Valentine says each of those four coaches have prepared him for his first head coaching job.

 

 

Uniquely Ready – The Roster

An experienced and deep roster awaits the rookie head coach. Seniors Cameron Krutwig, Lucas Williamson, Aher Uguak, Keith Clemons and Tate Hall have yet to make announcements about next season. Baylor Hebb, Cooper Kaifes and Franklin Agunanne have placed their names in the transfer portal.

Proven commodities remain.

While Valentine seems optimistic that some of his graduates will return for an extra season, proven contributors Braden Norris, Marquise Kennedy, Jacob Hutson and others remain. Incoming freshmen guards Tyler Johnson and Ben Schwieger are still in the fold. Official announcements on the status of grad transfers Chris Knight and Ryan Schwieger have not been made.

Valentine is upbeat about his roster and all the potential components.

 

 

Uniquely Ready – Community Support

Valentine has received ringing endorsements from former players Donte Ingram, Ben Richardson and Marques Townes. Even the Twitter account @PortersJacket has become @CoachDrewsShoes. There may be multiple coaches to hire (one or more could end up in Oklahoma), roster spots to fill and acclimation to the top spot are all before him.

Moser called this hire ‘an absolute no brainer’. Watson called no one else and said Sister Jean gave her blessing.

After years of preparation, despite his youth, Valentine is uniquely ready for this task. Announcements will come soon regarding those possible returning seniors and grad transfers. Valentine knows how to win. During his four years at Moser’s side, the Ramblers won 99 games, won three Missouri Valley titles and made plenty of noise in March Madness. His career at Oakland saw him graduate as the winningest player in program history.

Valentine is uniquely ready.

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