When UMBC athletic director Tim Hall introduced Johnetta Hayes as the ninth head women's basketball coach in Retrievers history, he ran through several qualities he was looking for during his search this spring. But perhaps none was more important than wanting someone who was a head coach at the Division I level -- preferably with a track record of success -- and someone who could foster strong relationships with players on and off the court.
After interviewing eight candidates, including two finalists who were brought on campus, Hall chose Hayes, the head coach at Texas Southern from 2013-2019. She posted a 115-73 record at the Houston-based school and led the Tigers to their first-ever NCAA Tournament in 2017.
While Hayes was putting the finishing touches on a successful tenure at Texas Southern, the UMBC women's basketball program was on a downward spiral. The Retrievers went 10-20 overall and 3-13 in the America East this past season. Former head coach Phil Stern took a leave of absence in December and resigned in February, with Carlee Dewey finishing out the season as the interim coach.
