William Woods University has announced that men’s basketball coach Nick Totta has assumed another role within the athletics department. Totta became the Owls’ second men’s basketball coach in the spring of 2010 and served as head men’s basketball coach for six full seasons at William Woods. In his first season, the Owls set a school record for victories in a season, and tied a school record for most American Midwest Conference victories in a season. During his time as head coach, the Owls went 83-110. During the 2015-16 season, Totta lead the Owls to their most successful season to date. William Woods went 21-12 and advanced to the AMC postseason tournament championship game.
Director of Athletics, Jason Vittone, announced today that James Hays has been appointed to serve as the head men’s basketball coach. Hays served as the interim head coach of the William Woods men’s basketball program after the first four games of the 2016-17 season and now assumes that position in a full-time capacity. The team finished the year 22-11 and again advanced to the AMC postseason tournament championship game.
Hays is in his third year at William Woods. He served as a graduate assistant his first two years and joined the Owls after spending a season as an assistant coach at Fort Scott Community College. He is a 2012 graduate of Westminster College, where he played collegiately and graduated with a major in Sports Marketing and Finance and is a graduate of the Masters of Education in Athletic Administration program from William Woods.
“I’d like to thank Coach Totta for bringing me to William Woods, and the university for appointing me to this position,” said Hays. “I’ve learned a great deal in my time here and am looking forward to continuing with the Owls.”
