Shanon Hays resigns as men's basketball coach For immediate release July 02, 1999 Shanon Hays, who led Abilene Christian University to its first postseason action in 11 years in 1999, resigned Thursday as the head men's basketball coach to take an assistant coaching position on James Dickey's staff at Texas Tech University. Hays, 31, compiled a 58-26 record in his three seasons as the Wildcats' head coach, and this past season he led them to the south central region tournament, ACU's first NCAA postseason appearance since 1987. His first team at ACU (1996-97) finished 15-12, followed by records of 22-6 in 1997-98 and 21-8 in 1998-99. ACU was a combined 34-48 in the three seasons prior to Hays' arrival. Last season's team came within eight points of reaching the NCAA Division II national tournament, but lost in the region championship game, 76-69, to eventual national semifinalist Truman State (Mo.). "While we're disappointed that Shanon is leaving, we're certainly excited about this opportunity for him and his family," said Stan Lambert, ACU director of athletics. "Shanon has done an outstanding job to bring our program to a nationally competitive level." Hays, who joined the ACU coaching staff April 18, 1996, came to ACU from Frank Phillips College in Borger where he spent one season. He led the Plainsmen - who had finished 4-25 the season before - to a 19-10 record and was named WJCAC Coach of the Year. Prior to coaching at Frank Phillips, Hays was the head basketball and head baseball coach at Lubbock Christian High School. In two seasons as the basketball coach he recorded 50 wins against 15 losses and reached the private school state championship game in 1994-95. As the baseball coach he led the team to the state tournament twice, reaching the title game in 1994-95. In 1992-93 he was the head coach at Sundown High School, going 9-15 in his only season. In 1991-92 he was a graduate assistant at Texas Tech. "It was extremely difficult to make the decision to leave Abilene Christian," Hays said. "My wife and I have enjoyed our three years here, and will always feel a special connection to ACU. The job I'm taking is probably the only job I would have left ACU for, and right now I feel like it's a move I need to make at this point in my career. Whoever takes over for me will find a great team waiting for him. Next year's team could be one of the best in Division II." The 1999-2000 team will return six lettermen, including 6-8 forward Peter Kiganya, who was named to the south central region all-tournament team. Hays and his coaching staff also signed an impressive freshman class, and a couple of a redshirt freshmen are expected to make immediate impacts. Lambert said no decision had yet been made as to who will succeed Hays as the 13th head coach in ACU history. "We want to continue to build on the success of the last two years, and we'll begin a search immediately for a coach who embraces our athletic philosophy, which is to become nationally competitive with student-athletes who are committed to academics and want to be a part of the ACU environment," Lambert said. "We're committed to building a program of excellence in men's basketball." Hays, whose father Larry is the head baseball coach at Texas Tech University, graduated from Lubbock Monterey High School in 1986 after earning all-district honors in both basketball and baseball. He was a letterman on the 1987 baseball and basketball teams at Lubbock Christian University before transferring to Texas Tech where he was a three-year letterman on the baseball team. He is a 1991 graduate of LCU with a bachelor's degree in history. HAYS' COACHING RECORD Year School W L Pct. Post-Season 1992-93 Sundown HS 9 15 .375 1993-94 Lubbock Christian HS 20 10 .667 District champions 1994-95 Lubbock Christian HS 30 5 .857 State Finalist 1995-96 Frank Phillips College 19 10 .655 1996-97 Abilene Christian 15 12 .556 LSC Quarterfinalist 1997-98 Abilene Christian 22 6 .786 LSC Semifinalist 1998-99 Abilene Christian 21 8 .724 Regional Finalist TOTAL 136 66 .673 MEN'S:  Baseball | Basketball | Cross Country | Football | Golf | Tennis | Track and Field WOMEN'S:  Basketball | Cross Country | Softball | Tennis | Track and Field | Volleyball ACU Sports Home | Lone Star Conference | NCAA Last update: July 2, 1999 This page is maintained by Jeremy Parish, parishj@nicanor.acu.edu. Questions concerning this information to Brent Rhodes, rhodesb@nicanor.acu.edu http://www.acu.edu/sports/news/990702-hays.html