Steve Hayn, who spent the past two seasons as head coach at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, has been named Senior Advisor to Rutgers University Head Men’s Basketball Coach Steve Pikiell. Hayn arrives “On the Banks” with 23 years of coaching experience, including 17 seasons as a head coach at the collegiate level.
“Steve is a quality person with extensive experience in the college game,’ said Pikiell. “We are thrilled to welcome him to our staff. He has built winning programs at every level. He will serve as an invaluable resource to our players, coaches and staff in the development of a winning culture here at Rutgers.”
Hayn, who becomes the fourth member of Pikiell’s staff with experience as a collegiate head coach, has achieved success throughout his career at multiple levels. He directed the Mariners to wins over three top 25-ranked foes last season to increase the team’s win total from its prior campaign. At his four head coaching stops, Hayn’s programs have collectively averaged 7.75 more wins in his final season at the helm as compared to his first. Perhaps his best season came in 2013-14, when he led Dowling College to a 22-7 mark to earn both East Coast Conference and Metropolitan Basketball Writers Coach of the Year honors.
“I am very thankful for the opportunity to work with Coach Pikiell and his staff to build something special here at Rutgers,” said Hayn. “Great things are ahead for the Scarlet Knights. I look forward to working with the student-athletes, athletics staff and the entire campus community as we embark on this exciting journey.”
A native of Long Island, Hayn and Pikiell served as assistants together at Central Connecticut State under head coach Howie Dickenman. They helped take the youngest team in the country from just four wins in 1997-98 to a school-record 19 victories and a Northeast Conference Tournament finals appearance in 1998-99.
A two-time team captain at Stony Brook, Hayn began his coaching career at Port Jefferson (N.Y.) High School from 1993-95, before moving to the junior college ranks at Genesee Community College. In one season in Batavia (N.Y.) under head coach Bill Van Gundy, he helped the team to a 26-6 record and the Region III semifinals.
Hayn moved to the Division I ranks at CCSU from 1996-99 and aided one of college basketball’s biggest turnarounds. In New Britain (Conn.) he also helped to recruit and coach 2002 NEC Player of the Year Corsley Edwards, who was a second round NBA Draft choice of the Sacramento Kings.
From 1999-01, Hayn was the head coach at the State University of New York at Fredonia (N.Y.). He directed the team to a 12-14 record in his first season, before enabling an 18-11 mark in 2000-01.
Hayn spent five seasons as the head coach at Stevens Institute of Technology. After an 8-18 record in his initial season in 2001-02, his tenure in Hoboken (N.J) culminated with a 15-12 record and the school’s first trip to the Skyline Conference semifinals in 2006. He also set the table for the Ducks to earn their first ever NCAA Tournament berth and a Sweet 16 appearance with a 23-7 record the next season.
The turnaround at Dowling under Hayn’s leadership was significant and easily quantifiable, as the team produced 16 more wins in his final season in 2013-14 (22-7), as compared to his first in 2006-07 (6-22). In addition to the on-court success, the Golden Lions also consistently posted a team grade point average approaching a 3.0 during his tenure.
A 1991 graduate of Stony Brook with a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies, Hayn earned a master’s degree in Special Education from C.W. Post in 1993. Prior to his coaching success, Hayn was a special education teacher from 1991-95.
Hayn is the proud father of two children, son Zachary (15) and daughter Sophie (12).
http://www.scarletknights.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/082316aab.html
