Coach Dan Hays— Setting Records in Oklahoma

By Peter Ewan

Dan Hays (MS 70, BS 68), basketball coach at Oklahoma Christian University, has the most wins at Oklahoma institutions of any college basketball coach. His 700th win came last March against Spring Arbor, in the National Christian College Athletic Association quarterfinals. His current career record is 701-412, as he begins his 31st season at OC. He has led OC to nine NAIA Division I tournaments, the last in 2012, and made five trips to the Sweet 16.

Dan Hays giving his players some inspiration during their November 1, 2010 game vs. Hillsdale Baptist.

Photo by Steven Christy, Oklahoma Christian University

His highly selective choice of players has led to success off the court as well. His players have a 90 percent graduation rate. When asked about this impressive statistic, Coach Hays replied, “I don’t recruit players who are not capable of earning a college degree.”

Dan Hays coaching Oklahoma Christian vs. McMurry, February 7, 2013.

Photo by Steven Christy, Oklahoma Christian University

At ENMU he played under Coach Harry Miller for three seasons, 1965-1968. Coach Hay’s favorite ENMU sports memory was “getting the first dunk in the opening night of Greyhound Arena when we beat NCAA Division 1 Hardin–Simmons and then the next week beating New Mexico State, and then on to Kansas City, Missouri, for the NAIA National Tournament.”

However, meeting his wife, JoAnn (BS 69), while attending ENMU, is his best memory. JoAnn was the homecoming queen in 1968 and was inducted in the ENMU Educator Hall of Honor in 2011.

Dan Hays’ family from left to right, top row: daughter Michelle Lynn, grandson Danny Lynn, David Lynn, Charlie Michael, daughter Stacie Michael; Middle row: granddaughter Mackenzie Lynn, wife JoAnn Hays (BS 69), Dan Hays; Bottom row: grandsons Cale Michael and Tate Michael.