Davidson Day names basketball coach

Joel Justus is Davidson Day's
new boys' basketball coach -
COURTESY OF DAVIDSON DAY

Davidson Day named Joel Justus as its new boys’ basketball coach Friday.

Justus, who will also serve as the school’s dean of students, has coached Woodberry Forrest (Va.) for four seasons. He guided that team to a Virginia Prep League regular season title in 2010 and two appearances in the conference championship game during his stint at the school. This past season, Woodberry Forrest was 10-15 (7-5 in conference).

"We were seeking to hire not only an outstanding basketball coach but a dynamic and high integrity mentor of students," said Bonnie Cotter, Davidson Day's head of school, in a statement. "That is exactly what we found in Joel and I feel privileged to be having the opportunity to bring him to our school for the benefit of all our students and families."

Six players coached by Justus will be playing collegiate basketball in the 2012 season, including four at the Division One level.

Justus is a 2004 graduate of UNC Wilmington, where he played basketball and was part of two NCAA tournament teams.

Before his tenure at Woodberry Forrest, Justus served as an assistant basketball coach at Elon.

Justus, a Winston-Salem native, replaces Ron Johnson, who announced his departure in March to take an assistant job at Marist College (N.Y.).

"The excitement and vision at the school is contagious and I am excited to be a Patriot," said Justus in a statement.