White Hall boys’ basketball coach Josh Hayes is leaving for a Conference 5A South rival after four years with the Bulldogs.
Hot Springs High School named Hayes its boys’ basketball head coach late Tuesday night.
White Hall hired Hayes, who had previously coached at eStem, in 2020. He inherited a struggling program and led the Bulldogs to the 5A state tournament this past season, edging out his new school, Hot Springs, to claim the final spot in the playoffs from 5A South.
The Bulldogs finished this past season with a 14-16 overall record, including a 9-7 conference record.
Hayes also led White Hall to its first win in the King Cotton Holiday Classic in December 2022, a 65-64 win against Grissom (Huntsville, Ala.).
Hayes’ son, Jai’Chaunn, will be transferring to Hot Springs along with his father. The rising senior was one of the program’s stars under Hayes and was named Class 5A all-state this past season.
He was also named to the 5A state all-tournament team, an impressive feat after playing just one game in the tournament. He scored a team-high 17 points in White Hall’s 60-51 first round loss to Alma.