Westminster College Director of Athletics Shay Wyatt announced that Adam Hiatt has stepped down as head men’s basketball coach after four years at the helm. Hiatt served as the head coach of the Griffins from 2011-12 through 2014-15, amassing a record of 73-48.
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity that I had to lead this terrific program these past four seasons,” said Hiatt. “I will never forget the relationships that I was able to build with the players, coaches, and college supporters. This program means a lot to me and always will. I am excited for my future and that of the program as it moves on to a new era.”
Hiatt concludes his coaching career at Westminster third all-time in program history in winning percentage (.603) and fourth in victories. During Hiatt’s four years as head coach, Westminster compiled a 32-27 record in Frontier Conference games and they finished in the top four of the league three times. The 2013-14 campaign ended with a regular season runner-up finish, a trip to the conference tournament championship game, an at-large bid to the National Tournament with a final NAIA postseason Ranking of No 24. Hiatt coached ten all-conference performers, three honorable mention All-Americans, one conference defensive player-of-the-year, and a conference sixth-man-of-the-year.
Under Hiatt’s tutelage, Westminster led the Frontier Conference in both offensive and defensive efficiency numbers in three out of four seasons. They finished in the top ten nationally in field goal percentage, scoring margin, steals, turnover margin, assist-turnover ratio, and free throw percentage. Hiatt’s teams led the NAIA three out of four seasons with 22 student-athletes being named a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athlete. This past season’s team was recognized by the NABC with a Team Academic Excellence Award. The 2013-14 Griffins led the country with ten NABC Honor Court recipients as well. Under Hiatt, 32 student-athletes were named Academic All-Conference.
Hiatt spent three seasons as the first assistant on the Westminster bench. During that time, the Griffins posted a record of 78-20 with two Frontier Conference regular season and tournament championships. They advanced to the NAIA National Championships twice, including a quarterfinal run in 2009.
“I would like to thank Coach Hiatt for his service and contributions to Westminster College and our men’s basketball program,” Wyatt stated. “We wish him and his family the very best in all future endeavors.”
Hiatt, a graduate of Westminster College who played for coach Tommy Connor, is a native of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. Hiatt also played two seasons at Ricks College (BYU-Idaho) where he led his teams in scoring and was an all-conference (Region XVIII) performer both years. During his time as a Griffin, Hiatt guided the team to a pair of Frontier Conference championships, earned Frontier Conference First Team honors both years, and was a two-time NAIA All-American. In his senior season Hiatt was the conference scoring champion and led the team to the program’s first win at the NAIA National Tournament. Hiatt is Westminster’s career leader in scoring at 1,384 points and his 809 points scored in the 2003-04 season is the most in school history.
A search for a new head coach will begin immediately.
http://www.westminstergriffins.com/news/2015/7/31/MBB_0731154348.aspx
