Josh Loeffler ’99 was most recently named the Assistant Coach/Chief of Administrative Staff for the Cincinnati men's basketball team.
How did you choose a career in college coaching?
I have loved sports as long as I can remember and I don’t think I ever could envision life without involvement in athletics on some level. The push toward coaching came, I think, from the incredible relationships that I have been lucky to have with my coaches. This started with my father, who coached my whole life, and continued with the great mentors I had leading our teams at Friends. Bob Tattersall, Brian Fahey, Jon Huxtable, and their assistants like Bill Harman, Dick Kittle, Rob Tattersall, Jim Friel, and others were incredible people to be around. They always made me want to be better and to do my best for the people around me. I think I realize now how special that is – not many kids get to have great coaches in three high school sports. They became and are still incredible role models and I want to be as good a coach and mentor as they were. You know, the real reason I wanted to come to Friends in sixth grade is because Coach T took my brother and I around on a tour of all the athletics facilities when we came to an admissions open house. I just knew I wanted to play for him. Best decision ever.
What are your current interests and passions?
I really spend the majority of my time outside of basketball and the university with my kids. We have a six and two year old so we are pretty busy with them. I am really lucky in that I have a job that incorporates so many things that I love. I get to interact with student-athletes, coach, watch a ton of basketball, support other teams at the school and stay really active. I still play basketball when I can. I have always enjoyed interacting with people so I try to meet up with friends and family as much as possible.
How has WFS impacted you since graduation?
First and foremost, I just wouldn’t be where I am without Friends. I transferred in and was immediately challenged to grow as a person and student. And then, my teachers and advisers were just incredibly important in helping me move on from Friends and gain admission to Swarthmore. I would not be working at Johns Hopkins if Friends hadn’t pushed me to become a better student and person. I think that there are two things that I appreciate most from my experience at Friends that help me today. First, is the influence WFS had on me to be open to new or different ideas and ways of thinking and to embrace people from all backgrounds. WFS constantly pushed us to be accepting and empathetic. Secondly, my teachers and coaches at WFS were tough but cared about me. I think they taught me that you can demand excellence without compromising values and while treating people well. I try to carry that with me at all times.
What are your favorite WFS memories?
It’s really the little moments that were barely moments with friends and teachers at WFS that I remember. Sitting in Mr. Brown’s advisory talking about nothing, being in the locker room goofing off after football practice, trying to talk my way out of being told to leave the library for not being quiet…these are the things that really stand out. WFS, really, was a pretty incredible place to grow up and that is largely due to the people there.
Members of the WFS Class of 2026 gathered this morning for a Senior Breakfast before their last first day of school! Special thanks to the Senior Class Reps for hosting and the delicious food.
The first day of school is here, and lower school students were so excited to greet their friends and teachers on this beautiful morning! Welcome back, friends!
It was a beautiful day to welcome our lower school students and families to "Friends Village" as they explored their new learning cottages for the very first time!
Thank you to all of the new families who joined us for last night’s New Parent & Guardian Reception! Guests were welcomed by Head of School Ken Aldridge, connected with members of the Home & School Association, and learned about the many ways to get involved in our community.
A big thanks to our Home & School Association for helping organize this event, greeting families, and sharing the numerous ways they help enhance life at WFS. We are excited for the year ahead and look forward to all that we will do together!
WFS Lower School teachers spent the past week moving into “Friends Village” and setting up their new classrooms! We can't wait to welcome Lower School families back to campus tomorrow for our Open House. See you soon!
This summer, Felicity Joppa '31 represented the USA at a CISV Youth Meeting in Brasília, the capital of Brazil, with a delegation from Brandywine Valley CISV. Youth Meetings bring 12-13-year-olds from 8 countries together to learn from each other, build global friendships, and work for peace.
On Sunday, the WFS football team hosted athletes from Special Olympics Delaware. WFS student-athletes and Special Olympians participated in various football drills and enjoyed water ice together!
Check out the earliest image of Friends Lower School children — taken in 1891 in the kindergarten room. Friends' School had the second kindergarten class in Delaware and, for several years, served as a “normal” or training school for kindergarten teachers. The teacher pictured here is Katharine Clark.
Our Lower School teachers have begun moving into their cottages this week and are so excited to welcome everyone back. See you soon!
Today marked the start of orientation for our new Wilmington Friends School faculty and staff! Over the next three days, they’ll dive into the history of WFS, explore Quaker Faith and Practice, connect with their mentors, and enjoy activities like “Who’s Who?” and Friends Trivia.
Congratulations to the following WFS student-athletes who were named as some of the top three-sport athletes in the State of Delaware by Delaware Online!
On the latest episode of the Quaker Matters Podcast, Rose Mulveny ’26 reflects on her year abroad in Zaragoza, Spain with the School Year Abroad (SYA) program.
In June, 37 WFS middle school students embarked on an unforgettable journey to Puerto Rico for a week of cultural exploration, environmental learning, and community connection.
Statement of Nondiscrimination as to Student Enrollment
Wilmington Friends School admits students of any race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of these schools. Wilmington Friends School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national and ethnic origin in administration of their educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.