Hall of Fame Coach Larry Hays to Lead ACU Softball
6/23/2026 2:00:00 PM | Softball
ABILENE – Larry Hays, who has accomplished nearly everything possible in 49 years of leading college programs, has been hired as Abilene Christian University's head softball coach, vice president for athletics Zack Lassiter announced on Tuesday.
Hays spent 38 seasons as the head baseball coach at Lubbock Christian (1971-86) and Texas Tech (1987-2008), and then another nine as the head softball coach at Lubbock Christian (2010) and Colorado Christian (2019-26). He has amassed a combined coaching record of 1,902-951-8.
"We could not be more excited to add a coach of Larry Hays' caliber to the Wildcat family," said Lassiter. "Coach Hays has not only proven he can build winning programs for decades but is also an outstanding fit for ACU's mission of educating students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world."
"Abilene Christian is a university that honors God and I'm excited to be a part of that because that's what I want to do," said Hays, who is the sixth head softball coach in ACU's history. "It is a great opportunity to accept the challenge and try to make a difference."
As a softball coach Hays has achieved incredible success with a 394-91-4 (.810) record including four seasons with at least 50 wins. Over his eight seasons at NCAA Division II member Colorado Christian, Hays won three Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament championships and led the Cougars to five straight NCAA Regional appearances. His 2026 squad went 55-7 including a 47-game winning streak with just two seniors. During his lone season as Lubbock Christian's softball coach, the Lady Chaparrals went 54-7 and advanced to the 2010 NAIA National Tournament.
Hays first made his coaching mark in college baseball. He spent 16 seasons as the head coach at LCU, leading the Chaps to the 1983 NAIA National Championship and 10 seasons with 40+ wins.
Following the 1986 season, Hays was hired as the head coach at Texas Tech where he spent the next 22 years and ultimately became the program's all-time winningest coach. The Red Raiders had never won a conference title or made an NCAA postseason appearance before Hays' arrival – but they soon began making history as Tech twice won championships in both the Southwest Conference and Big 12 and played in nine NCAA tournaments. Hays became just the fourth college baseball coach in history to reach the 1,500-career win plateau during his final season in 2008. His No. 27 jersey was retired the following year before a game between Texas Tech and LCU.
Hays has won 12 coach of the year awards – nine in baseball, and three in softball. He has been inducted into four different hall of fames: NAIA Hall of Fame (1991), Texas Baseball Hall of Fame (2001), National College Baseball Hall of Fame (2015), and, most recently, the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame (2024).
In addition to baseball and softball at Lubbock Christian, he also coached men's basketball (1969-75 & 1978-80) and women's basketball (1982-83) and served as the athletic director from 1979-87.
ACU was assisted in the search process by Game One and its University Advantage program.
Hays' son Shanon is the former head men's basketball coach at ACU from 1996-99 and was the athletic director from 2002-03. He is currently the head softball coach at Grand Canyon.
Larry and his wife, Nell, have five children and 11 grandchildren.
Hays spent 38 seasons as the head baseball coach at Lubbock Christian (1971-86) and Texas Tech (1987-2008), and then another nine as the head softball coach at Lubbock Christian (2010) and Colorado Christian (2019-26). He has amassed a combined coaching record of 1,902-951-8.
"We could not be more excited to add a coach of Larry Hays' caliber to the Wildcat family," said Lassiter. "Coach Hays has not only proven he can build winning programs for decades but is also an outstanding fit for ACU's mission of educating students for Christian service and leadership throughout the world."
"Abilene Christian is a university that honors God and I'm excited to be a part of that because that's what I want to do," said Hays, who is the sixth head softball coach in ACU's history. "It is a great opportunity to accept the challenge and try to make a difference."
As a softball coach Hays has achieved incredible success with a 394-91-4 (.810) record including four seasons with at least 50 wins. Over his eight seasons at NCAA Division II member Colorado Christian, Hays won three Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament championships and led the Cougars to five straight NCAA Regional appearances. His 2026 squad went 55-7 including a 47-game winning streak with just two seniors. During his lone season as Lubbock Christian's softball coach, the Lady Chaparrals went 54-7 and advanced to the 2010 NAIA National Tournament.
Hays first made his coaching mark in college baseball. He spent 16 seasons as the head coach at LCU, leading the Chaps to the 1983 NAIA National Championship and 10 seasons with 40+ wins.
Following the 1986 season, Hays was hired as the head coach at Texas Tech where he spent the next 22 years and ultimately became the program's all-time winningest coach. The Red Raiders had never won a conference title or made an NCAA postseason appearance before Hays' arrival – but they soon began making history as Tech twice won championships in both the Southwest Conference and Big 12 and played in nine NCAA tournaments. Hays became just the fourth college baseball coach in history to reach the 1,500-career win plateau during his final season in 2008. His No. 27 jersey was retired the following year before a game between Texas Tech and LCU.
Hays has won 12 coach of the year awards – nine in baseball, and three in softball. He has been inducted into four different hall of fames: NAIA Hall of Fame (1991), Texas Baseball Hall of Fame (2001), National College Baseball Hall of Fame (2015), and, most recently, the New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame (2024).
In addition to baseball and softball at Lubbock Christian, he also coached men's basketball (1969-75 & 1978-80) and women's basketball (1982-83) and served as the athletic director from 1979-87.
ACU was assisted in the search process by Game One and its University Advantage program.
Hays' son Shanon is the former head men's basketball coach at ACU from 1996-99 and was the athletic director from 2002-03. He is currently the head softball coach at Grand Canyon.
Larry and his wife, Nell, have five children and 11 grandchildren.
ACU Football: Sam Hicks Prepares for Canadian Football League Debut
Tuesday, June 09
ACU Baseball: Rick McCarty Press Conference | May 11, 2026
Tuesday, May 12
ACU Baseball: Senior Day Ceremony | May 9, 2026
Saturday, May 09
ACU Softball: Jo Koons Press Conference | May 4, 2026
Monday, May 04
