OHIO CITY, OH - Saint Ignatius High School announced on Tuesday that Head Basketball Coach and Director of Youth Programming Cam Joyce has accepted a new role as head coach at Loyola High School in Los Angeles, California.

Coach Cam, who recently completed his sixth season at the helm of the Saint Ignatius basketball program, leaves an impressive legacy. Under his leadership, the Wildcats amassed a 118-44 overall record, earned five District Championships and four Regional Championships, and captured the 2024 State Championship.

"In just six seasons, he's leaving here as one of, if not the best, head coach in Ohio. And that's a huge reason why Loyola is hiring a guy from Ohio to come and run their program," says Athletic Director Rory Fitzpatrick '88. "When hired in 2019, Cam lacked head coaching experience. Watching him grow as a head coach at Saint Ignatius High School was truly amazing."

Coach Cam will be taking over a highly touted and respective program that plays out of the Mission League in Los Angeles, California, that plays nationally ranked opponents, including Harvard-Westlake, Sierra Canyon, and Notre Dame.

"I'm excited about the new opportunity. Being a Jesuit school, Loyola was the most appealing part of the job. I've had tremendous experiences at Saint Ignatius these last six years," explains Joyce. "A pivotal point in my decision was that Loyola is a Jesuit school. The missions of both schools tie in the faith, and that's important and something I value."
 

A 2007 graduate of St. Vincent-St. Mary High School and the 24th head coach in Saint Ignatius basketball history, Joyce took the reins on May 23, 2019. In addition to his coaching duties, he served as the Director of Youth Programming, impacting students on and off the court.
 

"It goes beyond coaching; Cam is more than just X's and O's; he has developed a family around the basketball program and put his stamp on it. We have a long list of legendary coaches at Saint Ignatius High School, and that list now includes Cameron Joyce," Fitzpatrick explains. "He's a great person, a great friend, a great father, and a great model for the kids coming into our program."
 

Coach Cam brought the program its first State Championship since the 2000-01 season in the 2024-25 season. That season would include the most wins in a season with 26. "The State Championship in 2024 I will never forget, getting to celebrate with the guys in the locker room, and just the hugs, the pictures, and celebrating with the parents and families outside the arena, that night was incredible," says Joyce.

Coach Joyce has left his legacy in his six years at the helm, building Saint Ignatius Basketball into a premier program in Ohio. "Coach Cam is selfless, he works hard, and he cares for our young men and their families; he is a great example of what it means to be a Man For Others," Fitzpatrick explains."

In 2019, coach Joyce came in with the belief that the student-athletes could compete for a State Championship and play some of the nation's best. "There's no doubt about it. We had a lot of good players. Everybody has to buy to win the State Championship, and it doesn't matter how talented you are. They all have to be locked in because it's hard to do. I learned that everyone has to buy in. I believe everyone bought in 2019," explains Joyce. "The connections from the coaches and players are critical."
 

Joyce will take over a Los Angeles program that plays in one of the best high school leagues in the country, the Mission League. He will look to turn Loyola into a powerhouse against some of the nation's best.

"I'm thrilled to build their basketball program in many ways just like we built it here. Loyola has a good history, just like how we have a great history here; I'm looking forward to building the staff and getting to know the guys at Loyola," Joyce says. "Getting the chance to coach in one of the best leagues in the country is exciting."

Eighteen of coach Cam's student-athletes have gone on to pursue their dreams and play college hoops; current Division I athletes include Reece Robinson '24 (North Texas) and Sam Springer '24 (Loyola University).
 

"To see guys have success at the next level. It tells us that we're doing something right. We're preparing these guys for the next level. But off the court, it is even more incredible to see these guys become fine young men, and that's what you want to see," Joyce explains. Our guys are making a positive impact in society; it is pretty special to see them now as they're starting to trickle out of college. What they're doing off the court is even better to know that; hopefully, we add a small impact on them that will help them be great role models for the next generation, great husbands and fathers."

It will be hard to replace a coach like Joyce, but everyone at Saint Ignatius High School is excited about this opportunity for him and his family.

"I am sad that he's leaving, but at the same time, I'm happy and excited for the opportunities he has in front of him. I learned a long time ago that if your people working here at Saint Ignatius end up going on and doing great things, that's an excellent signal of the health of your organization," says Fitzpatrick. " I am confident we will find somebody to pick up where he left off. We're excited and happy for him, his wife Dev, and his son Cruz."

Coach Cam led the Wildcats to multiple Final Four appearances and was named Coach of the Year twice by Cleveland.com. He has cemented his legacy for the Blue and Gold, and the Wildcat Community wishes nothing but the best for him and his family at Loyola High School.

 

BK: On behalf of the entire Saint Ignatius community, we want to thank Head Basketball Coach and Director of Youth Programming @CamKnows_ for his leadership these past six seasons and wish him nothing but the best at Loyola High School in Los Angeles, California!#GoCats… pic.twitter.com/aUISajqxVz

— SIHS Sports (@SIHSSports) April 15, 2025