Kristin Haynie Named Head Women's Basketball Coach at Central Michigan
4/20/2023 3:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Watch Full Press ConferenceHaynie Fire Up VideoPhoto Gallery One (Adam Sparkes)Photo Gallery Two (Harrison LaLone)Photo Gallery Three (Kat Fulcher)
Haynie becomes the 13th head coach in the history of the CMU women’s basketball program.
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.—Former CMU assistant coach and Mid-Michigan legend Kristin Haynie is the new head women's basketball coach at Central Michigan University, Zyzelewski Family Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan announced this afternoon. Haynie becomes the 13th head coach in Chippewa women's basketball history.
"It's exciting to have Kristin leading our program," Folan said. "She is a Michigan girl that learned basketball here. Basketball has taken her to a Big Ten Championship, an NCAA Final Four, a WNBA championship, and all around the world. She is part of the Sue Guevara and Suzy Merchant coaching tree. As two women who have had a tremendous impact on this program and the game nationally, Kristin is a perfect fit for our student-athletes at Central Michigan. It's nice to have her back home in Mount Pleasant to lead our program."
"We are excited to get a coach of Kristin's caliber," Folan said. "We want to express our gratitude to the Minnesota Lynx. The Lynx have been the long-standing gold standard of the WNBA. This hire could not have happened without their support and flexibility."
"We are delighted to welcome Coach Haynie back to CMU," said CMU president Bob Davies. "In our conversations, it was immediately clear that she shares our commitment to helping our student-athletes achieve a degree on one hand and a championship ring on the other. I know she will push our amazing team to excel on the court, in the classroom, and in the community."
"I am thrilled to be here," Haynie said. "What a great opportunity to be coaching in my home state and in this incredible Mount Pleasant community. I want to thank Amy Folan, Dr. Robert Davies, and the rest of the university for making this dream come true. I am excited to get to know the players and invest in them on and off the court and to continue to bring championships to this amazing program."
Haynie, who has won at every level of basketball, takes over a Central Michigan Women's Basketball program that has made seven NCAA Tournament appearances (1983, 1984, 2013, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021), won five Mid-American Conference Tournament titles (1983, 1984, 2013, 2018, and 2021), captured eight MAC regular season overall/division championships (1983-84, 1984-85, 2013-14 West Division, 2015-16 West Division, 2016-17 Overall/West Division, 2017-18 Overall/West Division, 2018-19 Overall/West Division, 2019-20 Overall/West Division), and advanced to five Women's National Invitation Tournament appearances (2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2017).
In her previous stint at Central Michigan as an assistant coach under Sue Guevara (2014-17), Haynie helped lead the Chippewas to the 2017 Mid-American Conference championship with guard Presley Hudson earning MAC Freshman of the Year honors. CMU also claimed the 2016 MAC West Championship. During her time in Mount Pleasant, the Chippewas totaled a 58-38 combined overall record and 36-18 league record.
Haynie spent the last month as an assistant coach with the Women's National Basketball Association's Minnesota Lynx. She recently completed the 2022-23 season as an assistant coach at her alma mater Michigan State University, where she spent the past four seasons under head coach and Central Michigan graduate Suzy Merchant.
The Spartan legend has cultivated strong coaching ties in the state of Michigan as she came back to East Lansing after working as a basketball skills trainer in western and central Michigan. She worked as a mentor to inspire and motivate athletes to reach their full potential and help them realize their impact off the court.
Gallery: (4-20-2023) WBB Gallery One (Haynie Introduction)
Haynie began her coaching career as an assistant at Eastern Michigan from 2012-14.
As a point guard, Haynie had a stellar collegiate career at Michigan State, ranking as the career leader in assists (574) and steals (346). She finished her career ranked eighth in MSU history in scoring (1,199 points) and is still 15th in career scoring. At the time of her graduation, she was just the fourth player in Big Ten history to reach career totals of 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists and 300 steals. She is also the Michigan State leader in single-season steals with 117. The point guard is still one of just three Spartan women's basketball players to record a triple-double and became the first woman to complete a triple double (points, assists, and steals) in the NCAA Tournament. In 2005, she guided the Spartans to a 33-win season, the Big Ten Championship, the program's first-ever Final Four appearance, and berth in the NCAA Championship Game.
Just weeks after the 2005 National Championship game, Haynie was selected with the ninth pick in the 2005 WNBA Draft by the Sacramento Monarchs. She helped the Monarchs capture the WNBA title in her first season as a pro. She played in 160 games during her WNBA career, spending five seasons in the WNBA from 2005-09 with the Monarchs, Atlanta Dream, and Detroit Shock. During her stint in the WNBA, Haynie played professionally in Italy, Lithuania, Russia, and Greece.
Gallery: (4-20-2023) WBB Gallery Two (Haynie Introduction)
Haynie was inducted into the Michigan State University Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
A native of Mason, Mich., Haynie graduated from Michigan State with a degree in family community service in 2005.
Gallery: (4-20-2023) WBB Photo Gallery 3 (Haynie Introduction
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT KRISTIN HAYNIE
"Kristin spent three years on my staff here at Central Michigan. She has always been a coach who was able to relate to the players. She's been successful at all levels. She was successful in college, successful in the WNBA, she was the best point guard in the Big Ten and led Michigan State to a Big Ten Championship and Final Four and led the Sacramento Monarchs to an WNBA title. She helped us win a championship and she understands what it takes. As a point guard, she has always had a mentality of a head coach. Point guards are the head coaches on the floor. She was instrumental in the development of Presley Hudson, Micaela Kelly, and Desiree Turner. That's why we won, we won with players. Kristin, like the rest of my assistants, did a great job of developing players. She understands hard work, understands what it takes, and she's an example of hard work. She went away, she became an assistant in the Big Ten at her alma mater and helped Suzy. Sometimes you've got to go away to come back and that's what she did. I'm happy for her and I want Kristin to be very successful. Kristin has been at the top, she knows the hard work it takes to get there. It's not easy to win championships. It doesn't happen overnight and it's very difficult to sustain."
-Sue Guevara, former Central Michigan Women's Basketball Coach
"Excitement is an understatement when it comes to Kristie Haynie taking the helm as the new head coach at Central Michigan University. She is a first-class person that exudes integrity, character, and class. Her dedication as a coach to player development both on and off the court, tireless recruiting efforts, and proven championship experience make her the perfect fit to lead the women's basketball program at CMU. As an alum, I couldn't be more thrilled to have Kristin back on campus, and it's only a matter of time before she has the Chippewas hoisting championship banners once again."
-Suzy Merchant, former Michigan State Women's Basketball Coach and former Central Michigan player
"Kristin Haynie will be a tremendous hire by Central Michigan University. She was well mentored by Suzy Merchant as an assistant coach, and also was a great player. She has a great understanding of the game but is also a very self-disciplined worker. She will bring that needed combination of fun, energy, and exciting basketball, but also will hold the women accountable to reach their full potential. It's been fun to watch Kristin's career advance and now she has her chance to put her mark on CMU Women's Basketball and I will be cheering for her from East Lansing."
-Tom Izzo, Michigan State Men's Basketball Coach
"Kristin Haynie is an incredible hire for Central Michigan. She has thrived at every level of the game. Kristin is a leader with a work ethic that drives her excellence. She works by objectives while rising to each challenge. Growing up in Michigan is just the icing on the cake. CMU is most fortunate to have secured her leadership and the future is very bright for Chippewa Women's Basketball."
-Joanne P. McCallie, former Michigan State Women's Basketball Coach
"Kristin Haynie is a great hire for my alma mater, Central Michigan University. She knows what it takes to win in the Mid-American Conference. She's played and coached at the highest level and those experiences are invaluable. Haynie has a great work ethic, a love for coaching and the ability to connect with student-athletes. I know Kristin is excited to make her mark as Head Coach in the state of Michigan, where it all began."
-Raina Harmon, Iowa Assistant Coach, former Central Michigan assistant coach and player
"Kristin Haynie was always a tough-minded team player. She was a great leader and floor general for us. After drafting her in the first round, she helped lead us to a championship that same year as a rookie. We had the best record in the WNBA while Kristin Haynie played as a Sacramento Monarch. Going to playoffs every year and playing for two more championships in her tenure with the Monarchs."
-John Whisenant, former WNBA Head Coach and General Manager
THE HAYNIE FILE
Date Named CMU Head Coach: April 20, 2023
Hometown: Mason, Mich.
Birthdate: June 17, Lansing, Mich.
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Family Community Service, Michigan State University, 2005
Coaching Career
Head Coach, Central Michigan University, April 20, 2023-current
Assistant Coach, Minnesota Lynx, April 1, 2023-April 18, 2023
Assistant Coach, Michigan State University, 2019-23
Basketball Skills Trainer, 2017-18
Assistant Coach, Central Michigan University, 2014-17
Assistant Coach, Eastern Michigan University, 2012-14
Playing Career
Played a total of five years in the WNBA (2005-09) for the Sacramento Monarchs, Atlanta Dream, and Detroit Shock … won WNBA championship with Sacramento in 2005 … also played professionally in Italy, Lithuania, Russia, and Greece … drafted with the No. 9 pick in the 2005 WNBA Draft by the Sacramento Monarchs … inducted into the Michigan State University Hall of Fame in 2017.
"It's exciting to have Kristin leading our program," Folan said. "She is a Michigan girl that learned basketball here. Basketball has taken her to a Big Ten Championship, an NCAA Final Four, a WNBA championship, and all around the world. She is part of the Sue Guevara and Suzy Merchant coaching tree. As two women who have had a tremendous impact on this program and the game nationally, Kristin is a perfect fit for our student-athletes at Central Michigan. It's nice to have her back home in Mount Pleasant to lead our program."
"We are excited to get a coach of Kristin's caliber," Folan said. "We want to express our gratitude to the Minnesota Lynx. The Lynx have been the long-standing gold standard of the WNBA. This hire could not have happened without their support and flexibility."
"We are delighted to welcome Coach Haynie back to CMU," said CMU president Bob Davies. "In our conversations, it was immediately clear that she shares our commitment to helping our student-athletes achieve a degree on one hand and a championship ring on the other. I know she will push our amazing team to excel on the court, in the classroom, and in the community."
"I am thrilled to be here," Haynie said. "What a great opportunity to be coaching in my home state and in this incredible Mount Pleasant community. I want to thank Amy Folan, Dr. Robert Davies, and the rest of the university for making this dream come true. I am excited to get to know the players and invest in them on and off the court and to continue to bring championships to this amazing program."
Haynie, who has won at every level of basketball, takes over a Central Michigan Women's Basketball program that has made seven NCAA Tournament appearances (1983, 1984, 2013, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021), won five Mid-American Conference Tournament titles (1983, 1984, 2013, 2018, and 2021), captured eight MAC regular season overall/division championships (1983-84, 1984-85, 2013-14 West Division, 2015-16 West Division, 2016-17 Overall/West Division, 2017-18 Overall/West Division, 2018-19 Overall/West Division, 2019-20 Overall/West Division), and advanced to five Women's National Invitation Tournament appearances (2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2017).
In her previous stint at Central Michigan as an assistant coach under Sue Guevara (2014-17), Haynie helped lead the Chippewas to the 2017 Mid-American Conference championship with guard Presley Hudson earning MAC Freshman of the Year honors. CMU also claimed the 2016 MAC West Championship. During her time in Mount Pleasant, the Chippewas totaled a 58-38 combined overall record and 36-18 league record.
Haynie spent the last month as an assistant coach with the Women's National Basketball Association's Minnesota Lynx. She recently completed the 2022-23 season as an assistant coach at her alma mater Michigan State University, where she spent the past four seasons under head coach and Central Michigan graduate Suzy Merchant.
The Spartan legend has cultivated strong coaching ties in the state of Michigan as she came back to East Lansing after working as a basketball skills trainer in western and central Michigan. She worked as a mentor to inspire and motivate athletes to reach their full potential and help them realize their impact off the court.
Haynie began her coaching career as an assistant at Eastern Michigan from 2012-14.
As a point guard, Haynie had a stellar collegiate career at Michigan State, ranking as the career leader in assists (574) and steals (346). She finished her career ranked eighth in MSU history in scoring (1,199 points) and is still 15th in career scoring. At the time of her graduation, she was just the fourth player in Big Ten history to reach career totals of 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists and 300 steals. She is also the Michigan State leader in single-season steals with 117. The point guard is still one of just three Spartan women's basketball players to record a triple-double and became the first woman to complete a triple double (points, assists, and steals) in the NCAA Tournament. In 2005, she guided the Spartans to a 33-win season, the Big Ten Championship, the program's first-ever Final Four appearance, and berth in the NCAA Championship Game.
Just weeks after the 2005 National Championship game, Haynie was selected with the ninth pick in the 2005 WNBA Draft by the Sacramento Monarchs. She helped the Monarchs capture the WNBA title in her first season as a pro. She played in 160 games during her WNBA career, spending five seasons in the WNBA from 2005-09 with the Monarchs, Atlanta Dream, and Detroit Shock. During her stint in the WNBA, Haynie played professionally in Italy, Lithuania, Russia, and Greece.
Haynie was inducted into the Michigan State University Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
A native of Mason, Mich., Haynie graduated from Michigan State with a degree in family community service in 2005.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT KRISTIN HAYNIE
"Kristin spent three years on my staff here at Central Michigan. She has always been a coach who was able to relate to the players. She's been successful at all levels. She was successful in college, successful in the WNBA, she was the best point guard in the Big Ten and led Michigan State to a Big Ten Championship and Final Four and led the Sacramento Monarchs to an WNBA title. She helped us win a championship and she understands what it takes. As a point guard, she has always had a mentality of a head coach. Point guards are the head coaches on the floor. She was instrumental in the development of Presley Hudson, Micaela Kelly, and Desiree Turner. That's why we won, we won with players. Kristin, like the rest of my assistants, did a great job of developing players. She understands hard work, understands what it takes, and she's an example of hard work. She went away, she became an assistant in the Big Ten at her alma mater and helped Suzy. Sometimes you've got to go away to come back and that's what she did. I'm happy for her and I want Kristin to be very successful. Kristin has been at the top, she knows the hard work it takes to get there. It's not easy to win championships. It doesn't happen overnight and it's very difficult to sustain."
-Sue Guevara, former Central Michigan Women's Basketball Coach
"Excitement is an understatement when it comes to Kristie Haynie taking the helm as the new head coach at Central Michigan University. She is a first-class person that exudes integrity, character, and class. Her dedication as a coach to player development both on and off the court, tireless recruiting efforts, and proven championship experience make her the perfect fit to lead the women's basketball program at CMU. As an alum, I couldn't be more thrilled to have Kristin back on campus, and it's only a matter of time before she has the Chippewas hoisting championship banners once again."
-Suzy Merchant, former Michigan State Women's Basketball Coach and former Central Michigan player
"Kristin Haynie will be a tremendous hire by Central Michigan University. She was well mentored by Suzy Merchant as an assistant coach, and also was a great player. She has a great understanding of the game but is also a very self-disciplined worker. She will bring that needed combination of fun, energy, and exciting basketball, but also will hold the women accountable to reach their full potential. It's been fun to watch Kristin's career advance and now she has her chance to put her mark on CMU Women's Basketball and I will be cheering for her from East Lansing."
-Tom Izzo, Michigan State Men's Basketball Coach
"Kristin Haynie is an incredible hire for Central Michigan. She has thrived at every level of the game. Kristin is a leader with a work ethic that drives her excellence. She works by objectives while rising to each challenge. Growing up in Michigan is just the icing on the cake. CMU is most fortunate to have secured her leadership and the future is very bright for Chippewa Women's Basketball."
-Joanne P. McCallie, former Michigan State Women's Basketball Coach
"Kristin Haynie is a great hire for my alma mater, Central Michigan University. She knows what it takes to win in the Mid-American Conference. She's played and coached at the highest level and those experiences are invaluable. Haynie has a great work ethic, a love for coaching and the ability to connect with student-athletes. I know Kristin is excited to make her mark as Head Coach in the state of Michigan, where it all began."
-Raina Harmon, Iowa Assistant Coach, former Central Michigan assistant coach and player
"Kristin Haynie was always a tough-minded team player. She was a great leader and floor general for us. After drafting her in the first round, she helped lead us to a championship that same year as a rookie. We had the best record in the WNBA while Kristin Haynie played as a Sacramento Monarch. Going to playoffs every year and playing for two more championships in her tenure with the Monarchs."
-John Whisenant, former WNBA Head Coach and General Manager
THE HAYNIE FILE
Date Named CMU Head Coach: April 20, 2023
Hometown: Mason, Mich.
Birthdate: June 17, Lansing, Mich.
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Family Community Service, Michigan State University, 2005
Coaching Career
Head Coach, Central Michigan University, April 20, 2023-current
Assistant Coach, Minnesota Lynx, April 1, 2023-April 18, 2023
Assistant Coach, Michigan State University, 2019-23
Basketball Skills Trainer, 2017-18
Assistant Coach, Central Michigan University, 2014-17
Assistant Coach, Eastern Michigan University, 2012-14
Playing Career
Played a total of five years in the WNBA (2005-09) for the Sacramento Monarchs, Atlanta Dream, and Detroit Shock … won WNBA championship with Sacramento in 2005 … also played professionally in Italy, Lithuania, Russia, and Greece … drafted with the No. 9 pick in the 2005 WNBA Draft by the Sacramento Monarchs … inducted into the Michigan State University Hall of Fame in 2017.
—CMU—