Hayford spent the past 10 years as the head coach at Whitworth University on the Division III level. He posted a record of 217-57 with the Pirates, leading the school to the NCAA Division III Tournament six times.
“We are hiring the right person at the right time for Eastern basketball,” said EWU athletic director Bill Chaves. “Coach Hayford has had tremendous success on the court as his record attests. He has also had tremendous success with the academics and leadership of student-athletes. And his ability to get into the community is outstanding. We could not be more excited in bringing Jim and his family into the EWU family.”
Whitworth was 28-2 this past season and reached the Elite Eight of the Division III tournament. Hayford earned five Northwest Conference Coach of the Year honors and guided the Pirates to five NWC titles.
“My 10 years at Whitworth were great and I’ll celebrate them and hold onto them,” Hayford remarked. “But that was yesterday and now we’re moving forward. Coaching is coaching. There are some things we are going to be able to do as a coaching staff that have been successful for me as a head coach in the past that I think will translate to the Division I level. But it’s a new challenge and you build on principles that have given you success. You keep learning and growing, and you keep getting better every single day. I’m humbly ready for the opportunity. I think the future for Eastern Washington University basketball is bright.”
Hayford also spent two seasons as head coach at Sioux Falls on the D-III level and owns a career mark of 254-84 in 12 years.
Eastern Washington needed a new coach after Kirk Earlywine’s contract was not renewed on the heels of a 10-20 season. The Eagles were just 42-78 in Earlywine’s four years.
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