The Yavapai College athletics department has announced the hiring of Jay Joyner to be the next head coach of the newly-reinstated men’s basketball program.
“I’m truly humbled and honored to be the next head coach for men’s basketball at Yavapai College,” said Joyner. “I would like to thank Dr. Rhine, Vice President Jenkins and Athletic Director Brad Clifford for affording me this unbelievable opportunity. I look forward to building a program that the Yavapai College family will be proud of. Go Roughriders!”
Joyner comes to Yavapai from North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he was the head coach of the men’s basketball team from 2016-20. While coaching the Aggies, Joyner helped turn the program around with the NCAA’s second-best single-season improvement (three to 20 wins) and consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1993.
His 2019 team earned a 19-13 overall record with a 13-3 mark in MEAC play. In 2018, the Aggies enjoyed a banner season in which they earned a CIT Tournament appearance (their first since 2013), went 11-5 in the MEAC, went undefeated at home for the first time in 30 years and went 20-15 overall en route to Coach Joyner taking home MEAC and Region 15 Coach of the Year honors.
Prior to being the head coach at North Carolina A&T State, Joyner served there as the associate men’s basketball coach from 2012-16.
Before his time with the Aggies, Joyner received his first men’s basketball head coaching job at Columbia State Community College in Columbia, Tennessee. While coaching the Chargers from 2009-12, Joyner went 61-23 overall, winning a 2012 conference tournament championship while being ranked No. 6 in the country and earned 2012 NJCAA District 7 Coach of the Year honors and 2010 and 2012 TCCAA Coach of the Year honors.
Other stops for Joyner include being the men’s basketball director of player development at Rutgers University from 2006-08, assistant men’s basketball coach at Cumberland University from 2008-09, assistant men’s basketball coach at Columbia State Community College from 2005-06 and men’s basketball administrative assistant and assistant strength coach at Tennessee State University from 2003-05.
Joyner earned his Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and played college basketball at South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
“We are excited to have Jay leading the reinstitution of the men’s basketball program,” Director of Athletics Brad Clifford said. “He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will bring instant credibility to the new program!”
Men’s basketball last competed at Yavapai College during the 2010-11 season while the program started in 1970-71. Through 40 seasons, the program’s all-time record is 674-458. Joyner’s squad will begin competing in November of 2022 for the 2022-23 season as members of the ACCAC (Arizona Community College Athletic Conference).
Former NC A&T head coach Joyner set to take over at Yavapai College
