After longtime head basketball coach Mr. Aaron Parr stepped down at the end of the season, St. Pius X announced on March 26 that Mr. Will Cloyd would take over the program. He’s been the varsity assistant coach since 2013 and has coached 7th grade, 8th grade, and JV basketball teams.
“The only job I haven’t had thus far is head varsity coach, and now we’re going to see how that goes,” he said.
Mr. Cloyd began teaching English at St. Pius in 2018. He graduated from St. Pius in 2008 and played basketball all four years. He then went on to play at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Between his experience as both a coach and player, he’s learned quite a lot about what it takes to succeed on and off the court.
“I’ve learned that organization is big. Learning our culture, how we do things here, how to be successful as a head coach, and how to manage and deal with people and players. I’ve learned everything here. There’s nothing I haven’t learned here,” he said.
Some of his favorite parts of coaching come from his love for basketball and the team.
“I love all of it. It really is a great job to have. I get to be around enthusiastic players that really want to get better and great coaches who love basketball,” said Mr. Cloyd.
“When the season is over, it’s tough because you don’t get to be around your guys anymore,” he added. “We are lucky here because we have so many great kids that are so much fun to be around, but when it’s over, it’s really bittersweet because I know that they’re going to go on to bigger and better things.”
Taking over a program will come with its share of adjustments, including competing in a new classification next year.
“I think [competing in 4A] will be super tough,” Mr. Cloyd said. “The classification, despite being lower, is still going to be very competitive.”
When he’s not coaching, Mr. Cloyd enjoys cheering for the University of N.C., where both of his parents went to college, as well as the Atlanta Hawks & Trae Young.
The team and Mr. Cloyd have a lot to look forward to in their upcoming season and starting a new chapter in St. Pius basketball.
