Coach Loyer played basketball at Northmor High School in Galion, Ohio under John Harris, where as a senior he led the team in scoring. After graduation he played college basketball for the Akron Zips men’s basketball at the University of Ohio under Bob Rupert in his rookie season and Bob Huggins for the remainder of his playing career 4.9 points and 2 assists a game in 4 seasons.
- Overall Coaching Record: 8-24 (Interim of the Detroit Pistons)
After 27 years as a coach in the college and NBA ranks, Loyer became a pro scout for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2016, later being promoted to Director of Pro Scouting in 2018.
Coaching Philosophy
Loyer leaned towards the defensive side of the basketball during his college coaching career but has coached both sides since joining the NBA. In Detroit, he focused on working with the wing players, some of their shooting guards, small forwards and “stretch fours,” or power forwards with shooting range to the 3-point arc.
Coaching Career
After 4 seasons playing college basketball for the Zips, Loyer became an assistant coach under Bob Huggins.
Notable Players Coached
- Eric McLaughlin All‑Mid‑Con selection
- Dino McKey All‑conference performer
- Darryl Peterson
- Tim Penix
Coach Loyer followed Huggins to the Cincinnati Bearcats where they had one of the biggest runs in program history.
Notable Players Coached
- Nick Van Exel (Future 1998 NBA All‑Star)
- Cori Blount (1993 NBA First Round 23rd Pick & 11 Year NBA Playing Career)
- Danny Fortson (1997 NBA 10th Overall Pick & 2× Conference USA Player of the Year)
- Dontonio Wingfield (1994 37th Overall Pick & 1994 Great Midwest Newcomer of the Year)
- Keith Gregor
- LaZelle Durden
In 1999, Loyer started his first head coaching job at Wabash Valley Community College.
In 2000, Loyer became a video coordinator for the Portland Trail Blazers under Mike Dunleavy Sr. When Maurice Cheeks was hired in 2001, Loyer’s role changed to an advance scout. After 2 seasons in the role, he was promoted to assistant coach under Coach Cheeks.
Notable Players Coached
- Arvydas Sabonis
- 1986 FIBA Club World Cup champion
- 1995 FIBA European League champion
- 3× USSR League champion (1985–1987)
- 2× ACB League champion (1993, 1994)
- LKL champion (2004)
- Spanish Cup winner (1993)
- Zach Randolph (Future 2x NBA All-Star & 2004 Most Improved Player)
- Scottie Pippen (6x NBA Champion, 7x NBA All-Star, & 50th and 70th NBA anniversary team)
- Rasheed Wallace (Future 2004 NBA Champion & 4x NBA All-Star)
- Damon Stoudamire (1996 NBA Rookie of the Year & Future NBA Coach)
- Dale Davis (2000 NBA All-Star)
When Cheeks was hired as the head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers in 2005, Loyer followed him and became an assistant for the team. Cheeks was fired on December 13, 2008, ending his tenure after 4 seasons. Loyer stayed on the staff under interim Tony DiLeo for the remainder of the season.
Notable Players Coached
- Allen Iverson (2001 NBA MVP, 11× NBA All‑Star, 4× NBA scoring champion, 2016 Naismith Hall of Famer)
- Andre Iguodala (Future 3x NBA Champion, 2015 NBA Finals MVP, & 2014 All‑Defensive First Team)
- Chris Webber
- Kyle Korver (Future 2015 NBA All‑Star)
- Andre Miller (Top‑10 all‑time in assists)
- Lou Williams (Future 3× NBA Sixth Man of the Year)
- Thaddeus Young (NBA All‑Rookie Second Team)
- Willie Green (Future NBA Head Coach)
- Kevin Ollie (Future NBA Coach)
- Samuel Dalembert
- Rodney Carney
Loyer was hired as an assistant coach for the New Jersey Nets under Lawerence Frank, who had first discovered Loyer’s coaching when he used to observe the Cincinnati Bearcats practices. Frank was later fired in 2009 after starting the season with a 0-16 start record. Loyer was retained by Avery Johnson in 2010, Loyer’s last season with the Nets.
Notable Players Coached
- Brook Lopez (2× NBA All‑Star, All‑NBA Third Team, & Nets franchise all‑time leading scorer)
- Devin Harris (2009 NBA All-Star & Averaged 20+ PPG during with the Nets)
- Bobby Simmons (2005 NBA Most Improved Player)
Loyer became an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons under Lawerence Frank in 2011, but Frank was again fired, this time replaced by Maurice Cheeks in 2013, and Loyer was retained on his staff.
The two would only spend half a season on the bench together as Cheeks was fired on February 9, 2014, Loyer was the interim for the remainder of the season, technically, his second head coaching stint. He finished the season with an 8-24 coaching record, combined with Cheeks’ record, the Pistons finished with a 29-53 record, 11th in the Eastern Conference.
Notable Players
- Chauncey Billups (2004 NBA Champion & Finals MVP, 5x NBA All-Star, No. 1 retired by Detroit Pistons, & Future NBA Head Coach)
- Andre Drummond (2× NBA All‑Star, 4× NBA Rebounding Champion, & All‑NBA Third Team)
- Greg Monroe (Averaged 15+ PPG and 9+ RPG in Detroit)
- Brandon Jennings (Averaged 15–17 PPG In Detroit)
- Josh Smith (2005 NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion & 2010 NBA All‑Defensive Second Team)
- Kentavious Caldwell‑Pope (Future 2020 NBA Champion)