Brannon Hays, a Southern California native with nine years experience as a college Head Coach, is in his sixth season with LMU men's basketball program in 2019-20. He has served as both the Director of Basketball Operations and as an Assistant Coach with the Lions.
"This is an exciting opportunity to be working with Coach Dunlap again, and excited to be back in Southern California," said Hays, who grew up in San Diego watching the West Coast Conference as a kid. "There was so much to be excited about in coming to LMU that first year. I am excited to get back on the floor and back to recruiting in this new role. I am really looking forward to working with the guys in a new capacity."
Hays spent the 2013-14 season as an assistant coach with John Peterson, who was also an assistant with the Lions the first two seasons, at Ohlone College. Prior to the season Ohlone, Hays was an assistant coach at San Jose State for the women's basketball team form 2011-13.
"I am very fortunate to have Brannon join our staff," said Dunlap. "He brings experience from many different levels, including very successful experience as a head coach. I have known him a very long time, his work ethic and devotion to his team is invaluable to the LMU program. He has earned the opportunity to get back on the floor and coach, and this will only move us forward in the future."
Prior to moving back to California, Hayes was a head coach for nine seasons in Colorado. In nine seasons as a head coach at Metro State College of Denver (2007-10) and Colorado Christian University (2001-05), Hays' teams recorded six winning seasons and appeared in three NCAA Division II Championship tournaments. His overall major college head coaching record is 156-105 (.598).
At Metro State, the Roadrunners recorded a 98-27 win-loss record, won two Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) regular-season championships, three RMAC tournament titles and participated in the 2007, 2009 and 2010 NCAA Division II Championship tournaments. He was the 2009 RMAC East Division Coach of the Year after Metro State posted a 27-4 win-loss record.
At Colorado Christian University during the 2001 through 2005 seasons, he breathed life into a dormant program. After three seasons winning just 20 games, the Cougars won 19 games in each of his final two seasons. The 38 wins are the most in a two-year span in Colorado Christian men's basketball history.
Between his two head coaching stints, Hays was an assistant coach twice for Coach Dunlap and the Metro State men's program. In each of his four seasons as an assistant (1998-2000, 2006), the Roadrunners competed in the NCAA Tournament and were the 2000 NCAA Division II national champion.
Hays went to San Jose State after coaching boys basketball at Mullen High in Denver, Colo., for the 2011 season.
The 1993 California Lutheran University graduate majored in Computer Information Systems and minored in Physical Education. His first experience with Coach Dunlap was when he played for him as a junior and senior year for the Kingsmen. Hays has a Masters of Sports Science degree in Sport Coaching from the United States Sports Academy.
A native of Chula Vista, Calif., Hays and his wife, Lori, have two children, Harrison and Adison.
The Hays File
| Coaching Experience |
|
| 2014-present |
LMU, Dir. of Operations |
| 2013-14 |
Ohlone College, Assistant Coach |
| 2011-13 |
San Jose St., Women's Basketball Assistant Coach |
| 2010-11 |
Mullen High School, Head Coach |
| 2006-10 |
Metropolitan State College of Denver, Head Coach |
| 2005-06 |
Metropolitan State College of Denver, Assistant Coach |
| 2000-05 |
Colorado Christian University, Head Coach |
| 1997-00 |
Metropolitan State College of Denver, Assistant Coach |
| 1995-96 |
Adelaide 36ers, Assistant Coach |
| 1995-96 |
Norwood Basketball Club, Head Coach |
| 1992-95 |
California Lutheran University, Assistant Coach |
| Personal |
|
| Education: |
Southwest College (1990), A.A. in Science |
|
California Lutheran (1993), B.S. in Computer Information Systems |
|
United States Sports Academy (2005), M.S. in Sport Coaching |
| Family: |
Wife - Lori. Children: Harrison, Adison |
