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FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Fresno Pacific men’s basketball coach C.J. Haydock is stepping down after a decade leading the Division II school.
In a press release which announced the move, the Fresno native, who went to high school at Fresno Christian and college at Fresno Pacific, shared what went into his decision.
“I’m ready for my family to get my best energy now,” Haydock reflected. “I’m exiting with my head held high knowing that our program is being left better than how we found it.”
Haydock took over the program ahead of the 2016 season following one year as an assistant, and eventually became the winningest coach in the program’s 62-year history during the 2024-25 season.
He will leave the program with 109 career wins.
Sixteen players and counting have gone on to play professionally overseas.
“I’m immensely grateful for the last decade of living out a childhood dream, and the experiences and relationships that came with that journey,” Haydock said. “I’m deeply indebted for every person that shared that journey, and particularly grateful for the assistant coaches and players who I’ve been so lucky to lead.”
HIs on-court record only tells part of the story though.
Under his stewardship, the men’s basketball program established a foundational value of “First Things Stay First” that prioritizes leadership, academics, relationships, holistic development, and team culture.
His teams regularly recorded GPAs over 3.0 and averaged over 300 hours of community engagement and service each year.
“C.J. has done an outstanding job leading our men’s basketball team for the past decade,” said FPU Director of Athletics Kyle Ferguson in the press release. “He 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.”
“We will miss C.J. on campus as a coach, administrator, and friend,” added Ferguson. “As an alum, he is the best of FPU.”
Haydock came to FPU after leading Immanuel to back-to-back Valley championships and a ranking as high as #1 in the state in 2014-15.
His coaching career began as an assistant at Fresno Christian High School, before becoming the head coach at Liberty High School in Madera Ranchos from 2008-2010.
Later, he joined the coaching staff at Clovis North High School, where he was a part of his first Valley championship.
FPU Athletics have begun a national search to name his replacement.
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