Josh Hayes discusses his goals for Hot Springs and what drew him to the job

The Hot Springs Trojans found their man to lead their boys’ basketball program on Tuesday night when White Hall head coach Josh Hayes was hired to be the next boy’s head basketball coach of the Trojans.

Hayes, who had four 20-win seasons at E-Stem before taking the White Hall job, led the Bulldogs to their first state tournament appearance in nine years this past year.

He spoke with ArkansasVarsity.com about the decision to leave White Hall for Hot Springs.

“Number one, Hot Springs has a winning tradition and is also known as a basketball school,” said Hayes. “A winning tradition is something that I didn’t have the luxury of when coming into White Hall, but we were able to change the culture and change the ways.”

Hayes said the tradition that Hot Springs has stood out to him.

“This is a school that already has a tradition, already has a culture,” said Hayes. “They’re just waiting for the right guy to get it back how it was when they had Exavion Christian, Trey Lenox, and a few of those guys when they were making state final runs. They have everything I haven’t had in my previous two jobs to go along with a nice arena.”

Hot Springs does in fact have a nice arena, and Hayes expounded on what that can do for a program.

“I’ve never coached in the area, but it will be five years old next season. It is still brand new,” said Hayes. “When you talk about resources and the environment, when you have an arena where you could possibly host a state tournament each year and you can get people out to pack those stands, I think that is what basketball is all about.”

Hayes said that things like a new arena stand out to kids who want to play in the program.

“With the new age and style of kid’s things like jerseys, shoes, arenas – all of that matters,” said Hayes. “I think even as a coach that is one of the most attractive things when it comes to a school. What does it look like? What are we walking into? If you can get that arena that is state of the art, I’m just excited about everything they have that I haven’t had at my previous two stops.”

Hayes has two son’s that will go to Hot Springs with him, to include Class of 2025’s Jai’Chaunn Hayes who currently holds 11 Division 1 offers. He knows he can rely on his son to get the job done, but he is also looking forward to seeing what the talent already available at Hot Springs can do for him.

“It’s interesting because I know that all five or their starters are graduating,” said Hayes. “What I do know is they have a lot of football guys that play dual sports, and they are physical and tough as hell. Number one, I’ll be able to pick from that pool. They do have a few returners, some young guys that can play that are hungry to win, and all they need is opportunity. I can’t wait to get over there to meet the guys and to get my hands on them to see what I have to work with.”

Hayes said he will get with the Hot Springs administration this week to set up a time for him to meet with the team.

“I’m going to get with the administration to see if I can do it this week or next week some time, even if I have to leave work early to do it,” said Hayes. “I want to meet those guys immediately. For one, we call it the high school transfer portal, it’s about to get active and I want to let them know I want them all to come back. I want them to meet me and see what my expectations are and let them know my plan, so hopefully I can get over there as soon as possible.”

AAU basketball is going to be a critical part of development for Hot Springs players moving forward.

“When I first got to E-Stem and when I first got to White Hall I only had about two or three guys that played AAU basketball, and I told them it is mandatory when you play for me,” said Hayes. “The reason why is you need to be playing year-round. These days you have to specialize in sports, so I want to get those guys on teams and playing year-round, which speeds up the development process.”

“Being with Grass Roots, I’m familiar with all of the AAU programs and coaches,” Hayes continued. “I’m going to try to get all of those guys on teams and if I can’t get them on teams I will create something where they are playing in AAU tournaments as a team so they can get all of the benefits they need for next year.”

Hayes finished by sharing what he will be looking for when he first begins working with the Hot Springs players.

“Who wants it? Who’s going to be working hard, who’s trying to get better, and who’s going to let me push them,” said Hayes. “I think that is key because they have got to want it. I can’t do that for them. If they want it, I can guide them to where they need to be.”

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