James Hays spent the last two seasons as the Assistant Men's Basketball Coach at the University of Central Missouri. Prior to that he spent 3 seasons as the Associate Head Coach at Moberly Area Community College in Moberly, Mo. In his second stint with the Greyhounds, Hays helped MACC to a 30-4 overall record and an appearance in the second-round of the 2023 NJCAA DI Men's Basketball tournament. 

Hays began his coaching career as an assistant with William Woods University in Fulton, Mo. from 2014-16 where he guided the team to their first-ever top 25 national ranking in school history. In November of 2016, Hays was named head coach where he led the Owls to their longest winning streak in program history, including a program-best 22 wins in 2016-17.
 
A graduate of Westminster College with a bachelor's degree in marketing and finance and a master's degree in athletic administration.