Texas Tech University Athletics
Hays Makes History With 1400 Wins
February 27, 2005 | Baseball
Feb. 27, 2005
By Jenna Sampson
Special to texastech.com
The Red Raider's 5-3 win over Lamar on Saturday marked more than just another tally in the team's win column. The victory was the 1400th career win for Texas Tech Head Coach Larry Hays. He is only the fifth coach in NCAA history to reach the mark and has amassed a 1,400-753-3 record over the span of his 35-year coaching career.
"For the team we're just thrilled to be a part of it. I think it means a lot to the baseball world because it's a big deal," said senior centerfielder Cody Fuller.
Hays has spent the last 19 years at the helm of Texas Tech's program, transforming the Red and Black into one of the most recognized squads in the nation. Prior to Hays' arrival, the Tech baseball program had a losing overall record of 550-576 during its 37 years of play. He quickly turned the program around, leading the team to 17 winning seasons capped by three conference championships and nine NCAA Tournament appearances.
Tech's recent 12-7 victory over Western Illinois on Feb.12 gave the skipper his 700th career win at Tech. The numbers are a reflection of successful coaching over the long haul, but Hays is quick to mention that the 1400 mark isn't something he pays much attention to.
"I just can't get wrapped up in that thing. I understand it's a lot, but the only emotion is I'm pleased I've gotten to do it this long. I appreciate the opportunity I've had at Lubbock Christian and Texas Tech to do this, but really that's all it means. It's just another game. In this business you can't get wrapped up in individual numbers, we've just got to win the next time," said Hays.
The achievement isn't lost on the baseball world though. Hays and his counterparts Augie Garrido (Texas), Gene Stephenson (Wichita State), and Chuck Hartman (Virginia Tech) are obviously doing more than what he calls "buying uniforms and picking the lineup." The ability to motivate teams to win is something few have been able to accomplish.
"I don't know if it's as much motivation as it is having good players. I've had a ton of good players. Any coach that thinks they're the answer is in trouble. If you have good players you get to stay a long time, and if you don't have good players, you're done. The bottom line is that I've had a lot of good players and, I've had assistant coaches that have done a good job of recruiting for us," Hays added.
The latter is true. Hays' players have had outstanding success on the baseball diamond and in the classroom. Prior to his arrival at Texas Tech he spent 16 seasons at nearby Lubbock Christian University where he won 695 games and led the Chaps to an NAIA national championship in 1983.
He counts among his former players 29 NAIA All-Americans, one NAIA Player of the Year, 36 All-Southwest Conference performers, 15 First Team All-Big 12 recipients, 14 consensus NCAA Division I All-Americans, five NAIA Academic All-Americans and three NCAA All-Americans. The major league draft has acquired 78 of Hays' former Red Raiders, 12 of which have donned major league uniforms.
But regardless of his overwhelming success, don't expect to hear any rah-rah type speeches coming from Hays. Frankly, sometimes talk is cheap.
"He's not that kind of guy. He doesn't give speeches. He's a lead by example kind of guy with very good character. He treats you right and puts a lot of trust in his players," said Fuller.
The only thing Hays requires from his players is to come out to the field every day and play the game the right way. He does the rest by plugging players into spots that will enable them to be successful.
"My view is that you empower people by giving them the opportunity to be successful. The game is for the players, not for the coach. If you can line them up in a position where they stand a chance to be successful, then good things happen. They have to provide the leadership- it's got to come from within," he said.
This year's team is off to a good start. The Red Raiders have kicked off the season with a 9-1 record and recorded a 7-0 shutout of Dallas Baptist on Tuesday.
"You're either blessed by your team or you're not, and I've been blessed by a lot of good teams," Hays summed up.
