Michigan State Hall of Famer Kristin Haynie Named Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach
4/23/2019 1:10:00 PM | Women's Basketball
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State women's basketball head coach Suzy Merchant announced Wednesday the hiring of Kristin Haynie as assistant basketball coach. The Spartan legend and Mason, Michigan native, has also cultivated strong coaching ties in the state of Michigan.
"It is always fantastic to bring back a Spartan great and anyone who has contributed to the overall game of women's basketball the way Kristin has done," Merchant said. "Kristin has been a tremendous role model and has won at the highest level both in collegiately and professionally. It is a wonderful opportunity to continue to build our staff and what it means to be a Spartan. Kristin is passionate about individual skill development and her ability to train and develop talent was something that we were looking for in that position. Her success as a point guard at Michigan State, the WNBA, as well as overseas will be exciting for the development of not only our returning veterans, Nia Clouden and Taryn McCutcheon but also incoming freshmen, Alyza Winston and Mo Joiner. She is going to be a tremendous assist to Michigan State and our program."
Haynie comes back to East Lansing after working as a basketball skills trainer in western and central Michigan. She worked as a mentor to inspire and motivate athletes to reach their full potential and also help them realize their impact off the court.
"I am extremely excited to be back in the Green & White! I'm grateful for this opportunity Coach Merchant and all of the MSU administration has given me. I am ready to help win more championships and get back to the Final Four," Haynie said.
Haynie replaces Alysiah Bond, who accepted an assistant coach position at Texas Tech.
She spent three seasons at Central Michigan from 2014-17, where she helped lead the Chippewas to the 2017 Mid-American Conference championship with guard Presley Hudson earning MAC Freshman of the Year honors. CMU was also the 2016 MAC West Champions. Prior to joining the Central Michigan staff, Haynie spent two years as an assistant at Eastern Michigan.
Haynie had a stellar Michigan State career, ranking as the career leader in assists (574) and steals (346). She finished her career ranked eighth in MSU history in scoring (1,199 points) and is still 15th in career scoring. At the time of her graduation, she was just the fourth player in Big Ten history to reach career totals of 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists and 300 steals. She is also the Michigan State leader in single-season steals with 117. The point guard is still one of just three Spartan women's basketball players to record a triple-double.
Just weeks after the 2005 National Championship game, Haynie was the ninth pick in the 2005 WNBA Draft by the Sacramento Monarchs. She helped the Monarchs capture the WNBA title in her first season as a pro. She played in 160 games during her WNBA career, spending five seasons in the WNBA (2005-09) with the Sacramento Monarchs, Atlanta Dream and Detroit Shock. Following her stint in the WNBA, Haynie played professionally in Italy, Lithuania, Russia and Greece.
Haynie was inducted into the Michigan State Hall of Fame in 2017.
She graduated from Michigan State with a degree in family community service in 2005.
"It is always fantastic to bring back a Spartan great and anyone who has contributed to the overall game of women's basketball the way Kristin has done," Merchant said. "Kristin has been a tremendous role model and has won at the highest level both in collegiately and professionally. It is a wonderful opportunity to continue to build our staff and what it means to be a Spartan. Kristin is passionate about individual skill development and her ability to train and develop talent was something that we were looking for in that position. Her success as a point guard at Michigan State, the WNBA, as well as overseas will be exciting for the development of not only our returning veterans, Nia Clouden and Taryn McCutcheon but also incoming freshmen, Alyza Winston and Mo Joiner. She is going to be a tremendous assist to Michigan State and our program."
Haynie comes back to East Lansing after working as a basketball skills trainer in western and central Michigan. She worked as a mentor to inspire and motivate athletes to reach their full potential and also help them realize their impact off the court.
"I am extremely excited to be back in the Green & White! I'm grateful for this opportunity Coach Merchant and all of the MSU administration has given me. I am ready to help win more championships and get back to the Final Four," Haynie said.
Haynie replaces Alysiah Bond, who accepted an assistant coach position at Texas Tech.
She spent three seasons at Central Michigan from 2014-17, where she helped lead the Chippewas to the 2017 Mid-American Conference championship with guard Presley Hudson earning MAC Freshman of the Year honors. CMU was also the 2016 MAC West Champions. Prior to joining the Central Michigan staff, Haynie spent two years as an assistant at Eastern Michigan.
Haynie had a stellar Michigan State career, ranking as the career leader in assists (574) and steals (346). She finished her career ranked eighth in MSU history in scoring (1,199 points) and is still 15th in career scoring. At the time of her graduation, she was just the fourth player in Big Ten history to reach career totals of 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists and 300 steals. She is also the Michigan State leader in single-season steals with 117. The point guard is still one of just three Spartan women's basketball players to record a triple-double.
Just weeks after the 2005 National Championship game, Haynie was the ninth pick in the 2005 WNBA Draft by the Sacramento Monarchs. She helped the Monarchs capture the WNBA title in her first season as a pro. She played in 160 games during her WNBA career, spending five seasons in the WNBA (2005-09) with the Sacramento Monarchs, Atlanta Dream and Detroit Shock. Following her stint in the WNBA, Haynie played professionally in Italy, Lithuania, Russia and Greece.
Haynie was inducted into the Michigan State Hall of Fame in 2017.
She graduated from Michigan State with a degree in family community service in 2005.
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