Jim Hayford is in his fourth season as an assistant coach in the Cougar basketball program. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, he coordinates Azusa Pacific’s Cougar Athletic Foundation, an extension of the university development program geared toward intercollegiate athletics. He also teaches within Azusa Pacific’s physical education department.
Hayford, who also put together Azusa Pacific‘s recruiting scheme, has had a major impact on the look of the current Cougar team. He is the principal figure in Azusa Pacific landing 1993 California high school scoring champion Michael Dean and the states runner up Raymond Tuff. In 1992, Hayford signed Tim Sebek, who is Nordhoff High’s (Ojai, Calif.) all-time leading scorer.
A 1990 Azusa Pacific graduate with a degree in social science, Hayford lettered on the 1985 Cougar soccer team. He earned a master’s degree in education from The Claremont Graduate School in 1991.
Hayford began his coaching career in 1987 at Contra Costa Christian High School in Contra Costa, Calif., as the girl’s head basketball coach. The following season, he moved on to Berean Christian High in Walnut Creek, Calif., where he was the head varsity soccer coach and junior varsity basketball coach. During this time, Hayford continued his education at Diablo Valley Junior College and Cal State Hayward. He returned to Azusa Pacific in the spring of 1990 to complete his degree. In the fall of 1990, Hayford joined the Cougar basketball staff. He stayed on the staff when Bill Odell was hired in 1991 and went on to coach the junior varsity team to a 13-6 record.
Jim and his wife, Robin, live in Azusa Calif., with her dog “Dodger.”
