Women's Basketball Coaching Staff
Head Women's Basketball Coach
Tim Hays
thays@ccu.edu
Tim Hays, a native of LA Grande, Oregon, enters his second season as head coach of the CCU women's basketball team.
Coach Hays brings a tremendous amount of coaching experience to his new position with the Cougars, both as a coach at the NCAA level, and professionally overseas.
In 2006 Hays took over the Launceston Tornadoes, a team that had finished last in Australia’s Premier winter league the SEABL (South East Australia Basketball League). In one short year under Hays’ tutelage, the Tornadoes were the most improved team in the league, finishing fifth overall.
As of 2008, the team has skyrocketed to a stellar 14-2 record, a #1 national ranking, and are currently on pace for an ABA (Australian Basketball Association) National Championship appearance.
Prior to coaching professionally, Tim was an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Montana State University, and spent three years coaching high school level boys and girls teams.
In addition to his team coaching experience, Tim has individually mentored and coached players at every level including the WNBA, NBA, and other top level international and college players. He has also directed and coached camps and clinics all over the country.
As a college athlete, Coach Hays competed at Boise State University from 1998-00, where he was a member of a top-25 team that led the nation in points per game allowed and won a regular season Big West Championship. Hays also competed at Northwest Nazarene University from 2000-02, where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of science degree.
Away from coaching Tim has been heavily involved in ministry. For two years he directed the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for Idaho and Utah. He also worked for his local church in Boise, Idaho for two years.
Assistant Coach
Jessika Caldwell
Jessika Caldwell, a former Division I and professional athlete, begins her first season as lead assistant for the Cougars.
A two-year team captain and four year letter winner at Baylor University, Caldwell earned a spot on the 2004 NCAA Mid West Regional All-Tournament Team and was named the 2003-04 Big 12 Sportswoman of the Year.
During her stay with the Bears, Jessika moved into first place all time in the Baylor record books in both single-season free-throw and 3-point percentage, while claiming the top spot in career free-throw percentage.
Following graduation, Caldwell spent a season with the Sparta Praha Basketball Club in the Czech Republic, where she continued her on-court dominance by averaging over 17 points per game, while being named Most Valuable Female Athlete.
Returning stateside to pursue a career in coaching, Jessika took the reigns of fellow RMAC member UC-Colorado Springs in 2005. As head coach of the Mountain Lions, Caldwell recruited seven high school All-State players, two State Players of the Year and led UCCS to the RMAC conference tournament for only the fourth time in school history.
Caldwell's primary responsibilities will reside in guard development, recruiting and scouting.
Assistant Coach
Crista Hays
chays@ccu.edu
Coach Hays gears up for her second season as an assistant coach with the CCU women’s basketball program.
A native of Eagle, Idaho, Hays will bring the Cougars a wealth of professional playing experience, in addition to a fundamental understanding of post play instruction and development.
As a four year starter at Boise State University from 1998-2002, Crista earned team MVP and team captain honors, while being voted to the Big West All-Conference team and recognized as the FCA Athlete of the Year.
Following college, Hays served as post position coordinator at Northwest Nazarene University in Nampa, Idaho, before continuing her playing career on the professional level with the Perth Lynx and Launceston Tornadoes of Australia’s WNBL / SEABL.
While with the Lynx, Hays was named the 2007 WNBL Rookie of the Year, and was team MVP for the Launceston Tornadoes from 2006-07.
Hays’ primary role with the Cougars is the development of post players, recruiting and opponent scouting.
Brittany Long
Women's Basketball
Why CCU?
I came to CCU because I desired to be around people truly desiring to know and serve God. I wanted to be around a team and coaches with their purpose and identity being found in Christ.
