The Georgia State Panthers have hired former Georgia Bulldogs basketball player Jonas Hayes as their head coach. Hayes served as Xavier’s interim head coach as the Musketeers won the 2022 NIT.
Hayes played for Georgia from 2001-2004 and helped the Bulldogs make the 2002 NCAA Tournament. His named frequently came up as a potential candidate for Georgia basketball’s new head coach, but ultimately the Dawgs hired former Florida coach Mike White.
The Georgia State Panthers finished their 2021-2022 season with a 18-11 record. Georgia State won the Sun Belt conference tournament and made the 2022 NCAA Tournament before losing to top-seeded Gonzaga in the first round.
Hayes has previously served as an assistant coach at Morehouse, South Carolina State, Belmont Abbey, Georgia, and Xavier. Hayes coached at Georgia from 2013-2018 during the Mark Fox era.
Georgia State basketball’s official Twitter account announced Hayers’ hiring:
The #PantherFamily welcomes @CoachJonas home to the ATL!
🔗 https://t.co/IpuyIjCbbN#OurCity pic.twitter.com/Ej5HkMsI2X
— GSU Men's Basketball (@GeorgiaStateMBB) April 6, 2022
