Fresno Pacific names C.J. Haydock as men’s basketball coach

Fresno Pacific stuck with a familiar face to take over the men’s basketball team, hiring lead assistant and interim coach C.J. Haydock as the program’s 17th head coach.

Haydock joined the Sunbirds last season, initially hired as the lead assistant coach under Tim Kisner, who resigned in March after leading Fresno Pacific to a 14-13 overall record (9-11 in PacWest) in his only season. Haydock had been the interim coach for the past month.

“We are genuinely excited for the direction that men’s basketball is headed,” Fresno Pacific Athletic Dirctor Aaron Henderson said in a news release. “I’m confident that C.J. will not only bring a high level of basketball expertise, but he will also be investing in the right areas on campus and in the community that will make everyone proud. His values and character will make our culture special, which will put our student-athletes in an opportunity to succeed. I’m very excited about the long-term future of our program with C.J. at the helm.”

It’s quite the transition for Haydock, who just two years ago was coaching high school basketball. He spent four seasons at Immanuel High, going 70-47 overall and winning Central Section championships in his final two years. He was The Fresno Bee’s 2015 Coach of the Year. Previously, Haydock coached two seasons at Liberty-Madera Ranchos.

“I am beyond honored and humbled to be entrusted with leading the men’s basketball program at Fresno Pacific into its next chapter,” Haydock said. “We will go to great lengths to make sure that we operate our program in a way our community and alumni can be proud to support. We will work wholeheartedly to see that our student-athletes find their lives grown and matured in multiple facets, and in an environment that creates a sustained model of excellence in competition. I’m beyond thrilled to embark on this endeavor with our staff, and we are ready to work.”

Haydock is a graduate of Fresno Pacific with a degree in organizational leadership and also holds a master’s degree in education from National University.

This story was originally published April 4, 2016 at 6:11 PM with the headline "Fresno Pacific names C.J. Haydock as men’s basketball coach."