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Joey Meyer To Be Named Fort Wayne Mad Ants Head Coach

Photo Courtesy of: Randy Belice/NBAE/Getty Images

Photo Courtesy of: Randy Belice/NBAE/Getty Images

Joey Meyer, the man I named as the top candidate for the positon once the final four were announced, will reportedly take over in Fort Wayne for fired coach Jaren Jackson, according to sources close to the situation.

Simply put, Meyer was the best minor league coach available.  He's won championships, he has plenty of years of experience, he's very familiar with the D-League, and his most recent accomplishment was the development of Ramon Sessions during his time in the D-League two seasons ago.

Coach Meyer's dad, Ray, was a longtime coach of DePaul University, and once Ray stepped down, Joey took his place, coaching DePaul for 13 seasons (1984-97), including six 20 win seasons and seven NCAA Tournament appearances, being named CBS' Coach of the Year in 1987.  He had some recruiting issues though, and eventually moved out of the college game and into professional basketball.

Meyer's D-League career started with him coaching the Asheville Altitude to back-to-back championships in 2004 and 2005 before taking over as the Tulsa 66ers head coach when Asheville relocated for the following three seasons.  With Tulsa, Meyer didn't excel on the court (about a .500 record), but did develop players, the best example obviously being Sessions.

Overall, great acquisition by Jeff Potter.  The Milwaukee Bucks, one of Fort Wayne's D-League affiliates, obviously will trust Meyer, and that can only mean positive things.  Meyer can develop talent, and with the talent that could return (Ron Howard, Walker Russell, Chris Hunter, etc.), I expect a turnaround in Fort Wayne.

However, I can't speak much about Joey Meyer, as the closest I've come to him was about two years ago.

0 recs  |  Comment 10 comments |

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Comments

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Hahaha...

awesome pic of Joey.

by Aisander D on May 26, 2009 7:19 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

He's just getting ready

To turn his swag on… Come on baby, let’s do the twist!

Blogging at RidiculousUpside, where we converse with recently fired mascots.

by Scott Schroeder on May 26, 2009 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Great selection

No reason OKC should have let him go in the first place.

by hkf on May 27, 2009 1:43 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Great hire Jeff...

Welcome to Fort Wayne Coach! Hopefully he pulls some of that 80’s attire out that he used to wear while he paced the Blue Deamons sideline..1 step closer to the season gentlemen! Go Ants

by webby356 on May 27, 2009 11:43 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Blue Demons.....

Spell Check failed………………………………………..

by webby356 on May 27, 2009 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I've been there...

I think he’s a good hire. I’m hoping to see the Ants blow up the spot next year. By far the best/worst Team name in the entire D.

by Aisander D on May 27, 2009 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

this is horrible for those of us in fort wayne

why is he here? if he was any good at all he wouldnt have to coach in the dleague.. im sick about this..horrible choice

by hoosierftwayne on May 31, 2009 9:55 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

wow.... ok,

           I would hope you would give the the man the respect to coach our team for at least one game before you start the bus and run over the guy….. Seeing he has been coaching probably longer than what you have been alive.
       Who was your top 3 candidates you had on your list to take this job anyway? Don’t let this hire get you to upset, sit back relax and enjoy the great game of basketball my friend.
                                           PEACE

by webby356 on May 31, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What a joke of a comment...

Last time I looked, the Mad Ants were in the D-League. Any coach that works for the Mad Ants is a coach in the D-League. So to make the comment that “If he was any good at all he wouldn’t have to coach in the dleage…” is quite humorous.

Peace out!

by HappyDog on Jun 4, 2009 6:41 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

wow

after reading these posts..can i ask..is every1 on here joey meyers family? on what planet is he a person that is desirable? sorry i know you dont need my measly season ticket money so enjoy another 19 win season if your lucky..horrible signing..IS THAT ALL THATS OUT THERE?

by hoosierftwayne on May 31, 2009 9:58 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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