Following a decade at the helm of the Fresno Pacific men\u2019s basketball program that included numerous milestones, unparalleled growth, and unforgettable moments, Head Coach\u00a0C.J. Haydock\u00a0has announced that he is stepping away from coaching. FPU Athletics have begun a national search to name his replacement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m immensely grateful for the last decade of living out a childhood dream, and the experiences and relationships that came with that journey,\u201d Haydock said. \u201cI\u2019m deeply indebted for every person that shared that journey, and particularly grateful for the assistant coaches and players who I\u2019ve been so lucky to lead.\u201d<\/p>\n
A Fresno native and alumnus of Fresno Christian and Fresno Pacific, Haydock took over the program ahead of the 2016 season following one year as an assistant. In his ten seasons leading the Sunbirds, Haydock invested deeply in the development of his players both on and off the court, helping shape a program built around hard work, accountability, and care for one another. Under his stewardship, the men\u2019s basketball program established a foundational value of \u201cFirst Things Stay First\u201d that prioritizes leadership, academics, relationships, holistic development, and team culture.<\/p>\n
\u201cC.J. has done an outstanding job leading our men\u2019s basketball team for the past decade,\u201d said FPU Director of Athletics\u00a0Kyle Ferguson. \u201cHe built it into a program we are proud of, both competitively and in the way our student-athletes represent Fresno Pacific. More importantly, he has been committed to developing young men of character, and ultimately that is what matters most.\u201d<\/p>\n
Haydock became the winningest coach in the program\u2019s 62-year history during the 2024-25 season and leaves with 109 career wins. Numerous recruits under Haydock would go on to have prolific careers as Sunbirds, with many entering their names into the program\u2019s record books across numerous categories. Sixteen players and counting have gone on to play professionally overseas.\u00a0His teams regularly recorded GPAs over 3.0 and averaged over 300 hours of community engagement and service each year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m ready for my family to get my best energy now,\u201d Haydock reflected. \u201cI\u2019m exiting with my head held high\u00a0knowing that our program is being left better than how we found it.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to his coaching role, Haydock served as Fresno Pacific\u2019s Assistant Athletic Director of Development, leading fundraising and donor engagement efforts for Fresno Pacific Athletics, since 2024.\u00a0Everyone at Fresno Pacific University wishes C.J. the very best on the next chapter of his journey and will remember his tenure, presence, and personality fondly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will miss C.J. on campus as a coach, administrator, and friend,\u201d added Ferguson. \u201cAs an alum, he is the best of FPU.\u201d<\/p>\n