Bio

Tim Hays was named the head coach of the LSU Shreveport women’s basketball program in summer of 2024 and made an immediate impact in his first season at the helm. In 2024-25, Hays guided the Pilots to a 27-4 overall record and an impressive 23-1 mark in Red River Athletic Conference (RRAC) play. His efforts earned him RRAC Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year honors as LSUS claimed both the RRAC regular-season and tournament championships and earned a spot in the NAIA Top 25 poll at No. 25.

Under his leadership, five Pilots earned RRAC All-Conference recognition: Tiarra Tillison, Helena Galunic, Paula Gonzalez Herrero, Erynn Williams, and Selma Markisic. Williams also earned RRAC Defensive Player of the Year honors, highlighting the team’s strong presence on both ends of the floor.

Hays arrived in Shreveport after spending the 2023-24 season as the head coach at Pepperdine University. Prior to that, he was on staff at the University of Colorado during the Buffaloes’ 2022-23 campaign that finished 25-9 and included the program’s first NCAA Sweet 16 appearance since 2003.

Before returning to the NCAA Division I level, Hays built a powerhouse at Southeastern University (Fla.), where he became the winningest coach in program history with a 176-13 record. In six seasons, he led the Fire to a perfect 106-0 conference record, six Sun Conference regular-season championships, and five tournament titles. Southeastern reached two national semifinals and played for the 2019 NAIA national championship under his leadership. His program produced nine NAIA All-Americans and achieved a No. 1 national ranking in four different seasons, never finishing lower than No. 8.

Hays also holds the distinction of being the all-time winningest head coach at Colorado Christian University, where he posted a 143-50 record across eight seasons. Taking over a program that had never recorded a winning season, Hays led CCU to two NCAA Tournament appearances, an RMAC championship, and an NCCAA National Championship. His 2014-15 team was inducted into the CCU Hall of Fame in 2021.

On the professional level, Hays spent three years coaching in Australia, where he was named the ABA Coach of the Year in 2008. He also gained Division I experience at Montana State University, working as an assistant coach with responsibilities in recruiting, offensive game planning, and camp operations.

As a player, Hays starred at La Grande High School in Oregon, where he was the state’s leading scorer and earned USA Today All-America honors. He began his collegiate career at Boise State, helping the Broncos win the 1999 Big West championship, before finishing at Northwest Nazarene.

With a proven record of success at every level—from professional basketball to NAIA national contenders and NCAA Division I programs—Coach Hays has quickly established LSU Shreveport as a rising force in women’s basketball.