DePaul’s 55-Year Family Affair Ends: Joey Meyer, Son of Ray, Is Forced Out

Joey Meyer resigned under fire Monday as basketball coach at DePaul, ending a 55-year run during which the Blue Demons have been coached by a Meyer.

Meyer, 48, spent 30 years at the school as a player, assistant coach and then head coach. He was a player and assistant under his father, Ray, who became the seventh DePaul coach in 1942. Joey Meyer replaced his father when Ray retired in 1984.

“Because of the Meyer tradition, this situation was not taken lightly,” said Jim Doyle, vice president of student services at DePaul. “This was an institutional decision, rather than an athletic department decision.”

Doyle said the school made the move hoping to improve the team’s record, slumping attendance and competitiveness in Conference USA.

Meyer said he didn’t have any inkling about his fate until a Monday morning meeting with university officials, including Athletic Director Bill Bradshaw.

“After that meeting it became apparent that’s what should be done,” said Meyer, who says he’ll seek another coaching job. “I’m not one who flies and dies.”

While Ray Meyer guided the Demons to a 724-354 record, including a Final Four appearance in 1979, his son’s teams struggled in recent years. They lost their final 13 games last season to finish 3-23. That came on the heels of an 11-18 mark the previous season.