Central Michigan University Athletics
New CMU head women's basketball coach Kristin Haynie (center) poses with university President Robert Davies (right) and Zyzelewski Family Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan on Thursday during her introduction at the Chippewa Champions Center.
Photo by: Adam Sparkes
CMU Welcomes Coach Kristin Haynie With Open Arms
4/21/2023 2:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball, Our Stories
Watch Full Press ConferenceHaynie Fire Up VideoPhoto Gallery One (Adam Sparkes)Photo Gallery Two (Harrison LaLone)Photo Gallery Three (Kat Fulcher)
Former women's basketball assistant returns to CMU sporting outstanding resumé
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – They were all there: Young and old, Central Michigan women's basketball royalty, longtime supporters, and new eager faces.
Kristin Haynie was introduced on Thursday as the new coach of the Chippewa women's basketball program. Her speech included the requisite thank yous and gratitude to family, friends and mentors.
The message was otherwise succinct, clear and genuine.
"I'm very emotional and proud to lead a program in my home state and in a great community," said Haynie, who grew up in Mason, played at Michigan State, and served as an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan (2012-14), at CMU (2014-17), and at MSU (2019-23).
Central Michigan is "a rich program that has built many championships and we can definitely get back there," she said. "It's not good enough just to make the NCAA Tournament, but to make Sweet 16s. I'm excited to get going to do that."
Haynie did that as a point guard at Michigan State, leading the Spartans to the NCAA championship game in 2005, capping a brilliant collegiate career. She played five seasons in the WNBA, winning a title with the Minnesota Lynx.
As a coach, Haynie served as an assistant under two of the greats in CMU's Sue Guevara and MSU's Suzy Merchant, both of whom were on hand for Thursday's event in the Chippewa Champions Center.
"The genuineness and the caring for the kids and to have all that basketball experience," CMU Zyzelewski Family Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan said in describing what made Haynie the top candidate to become the 13th coach in program history. "Being a Michigan kid and having had some of the best mentors in the state, it was hard to find somebody who would be a better fit. She had all the pieces you would want.
"I think she's learned from the best and she's gone on to national success. To bring that home, all of her experiences, are a perfect fit. She's a perfect example for what mid-Michigan kids can achieve and this university gives her that opportunity to come back and pay it forward and really bring it all together.
"We're just really excited for the kids and the university for what's ahead with women's basketball."
During her three seasons on Guevara's staff, Haynie helped to mentor the likes of Presley Hudson and Micaela Kelly, two of the all-time greats in program history.
"I'm very, very happy for Kristin," Guevara said. "She knows what she's getting into, and she brings instant credibility. For our players, it's instant respect because she's been there.
"It's a great thing for the community because they know her, so they know what to expect and she knows what to expect from them. She has been out in this community; she was a part of all those initiatives that we did. Now she gets to put her imprint on it.
"Somebody asked me what she was like as a player in college. She was a quiet assassin that got those kids at Michigan State to follow her on that court. This is the most I've ever heard her talk. But she was pretty clear about why she is here and what she expects to happen."
Merchant was a standout player at CMU from 1987-91 before going on to a 28-year coaching career that included 10 NCAA Tournament appearances during her 16 years at Michigan State. She brought Haynie back to East Lansing as an assistant in 2019.
In her speech, Haynie quoted a philosophy she picked up from Merchant: "How you do one thing is how you do everything."
"Whether it's a lift, or whether it's a practice, or it's a one-on-one with your position coach, be all in," Merchant said. "How you do all that matters just as much as game day."
Haynie, Marchant said, epitomizes that, and more.
"Any point guard who has won championships and led teams from the time they set foot on campus as a freshman and then on to the pros, you're a head coach on the floor," she said, adding that Haynie is more than ready to lead a program. "She's very calming, very poised, very much centered in who she is, and I think that will permeate to everyone.
"There is nothing that is not genuine with Kristin Haynie. She's as real as the day is long. She's a perfect example of how you do one thing is how you do everything. She's done it that way her whole life in everything she's done.
"I'm a proud alum as a CMU Chippewa to watch her. And obviously as her boss for a few years it was great to have her part of the family."
Haynie is the 16th-leading scorer in MSU history and is second all-time in assists and first in steals. She was inducted into the Michigan State University Hall of Fame in 2017.
Haynie said she has, and will continue to, lean on the likes of Guevara and Merchant as she moves forward in her first head coaching job.
"Those two mean so much to me," Haynie said. "They're special in my life. I've learned a great amount, not just on the court but off the court too. How they treated players. It wasn't just a business; it was a family atmosphere and that's exactly what I want to do.
"I've told them to leave their phone on ring so I'll be calling them."
A basketball lifer who has been immersed in the game, Haynie fully recognizes the evolution of college athletics and the major changes that the transfer portal has brought. She said she has already met with the current crop of Chippewas.
"I'm a loyal person and I want to build that culture, that family atmosphere," she said. "When players can just go into the portal anytime they want, it's difficult to maintain that atmosphere. But that's why you create the relationships with them. It's not just about the X's and O's, but an investment in them."
Kristin Haynie was introduced on Thursday as the new coach of the Chippewa women's basketball program. Her speech included the requisite thank yous and gratitude to family, friends and mentors.
The message was otherwise succinct, clear and genuine.
"I'm very emotional and proud to lead a program in my home state and in a great community," said Haynie, who grew up in Mason, played at Michigan State, and served as an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan (2012-14), at CMU (2014-17), and at MSU (2019-23).
Central Michigan is "a rich program that has built many championships and we can definitely get back there," she said. "It's not good enough just to make the NCAA Tournament, but to make Sweet 16s. I'm excited to get going to do that."
Haynie did that as a point guard at Michigan State, leading the Spartans to the NCAA championship game in 2005, capping a brilliant collegiate career. She played five seasons in the WNBA, winning a title with the Minnesota Lynx.
As a coach, Haynie served as an assistant under two of the greats in CMU's Sue Guevara and MSU's Suzy Merchant, both of whom were on hand for Thursday's event in the Chippewa Champions Center.
"The genuineness and the caring for the kids and to have all that basketball experience," CMU Zyzelewski Family Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan said in describing what made Haynie the top candidate to become the 13th coach in program history. "Being a Michigan kid and having had some of the best mentors in the state, it was hard to find somebody who would be a better fit. She had all the pieces you would want.
"I think she's learned from the best and she's gone on to national success. To bring that home, all of her experiences, are a perfect fit. She's a perfect example for what mid-Michigan kids can achieve and this university gives her that opportunity to come back and pay it forward and really bring it all together.
"We're just really excited for the kids and the university for what's ahead with women's basketball."
During her three seasons on Guevara's staff, Haynie helped to mentor the likes of Presley Hudson and Micaela Kelly, two of the all-time greats in program history.
"I'm very, very happy for Kristin," Guevara said. "She knows what she's getting into, and she brings instant credibility. For our players, it's instant respect because she's been there.
"It's a great thing for the community because they know her, so they know what to expect and she knows what to expect from them. She has been out in this community; she was a part of all those initiatives that we did. Now she gets to put her imprint on it.
"Somebody asked me what she was like as a player in college. She was a quiet assassin that got those kids at Michigan State to follow her on that court. This is the most I've ever heard her talk. But she was pretty clear about why she is here and what she expects to happen."
Merchant was a standout player at CMU from 1987-91 before going on to a 28-year coaching career that included 10 NCAA Tournament appearances during her 16 years at Michigan State. She brought Haynie back to East Lansing as an assistant in 2019.
In her speech, Haynie quoted a philosophy she picked up from Merchant: "How you do one thing is how you do everything."
"Whether it's a lift, or whether it's a practice, or it's a one-on-one with your position coach, be all in," Merchant said. "How you do all that matters just as much as game day."
Haynie, Marchant said, epitomizes that, and more.
"Any point guard who has won championships and led teams from the time they set foot on campus as a freshman and then on to the pros, you're a head coach on the floor," she said, adding that Haynie is more than ready to lead a program. "She's very calming, very poised, very much centered in who she is, and I think that will permeate to everyone.
"There is nothing that is not genuine with Kristin Haynie. She's as real as the day is long. She's a perfect example of how you do one thing is how you do everything. She's done it that way her whole life in everything she's done.
"I'm a proud alum as a CMU Chippewa to watch her. And obviously as her boss for a few years it was great to have her part of the family."
Haynie is the 16th-leading scorer in MSU history and is second all-time in assists and first in steals. She was inducted into the Michigan State University Hall of Fame in 2017.
Haynie said she has, and will continue to, lean on the likes of Guevara and Merchant as she moves forward in her first head coaching job.
"Those two mean so much to me," Haynie said. "They're special in my life. I've learned a great amount, not just on the court but off the court too. How they treated players. It wasn't just a business; it was a family atmosphere and that's exactly what I want to do.
"I've told them to leave their phone on ring so I'll be calling them."
A basketball lifer who has been immersed in the game, Haynie fully recognizes the evolution of college athletics and the major changes that the transfer portal has brought. She said she has already met with the current crop of Chippewas.
"I'm a loyal person and I want to build that culture, that family atmosphere," she said. "When players can just go into the portal anytime they want, it's difficult to maintain that atmosphere. But that's why you create the relationships with them. It's not just about the X's and O's, but an investment in them."
WBB Cinematic Recap vs. Purdue
Tuesday, December 02
WBB Cinematic Recap vs. Eastern Illinois
Sunday, November 23
WBB Cinematic Recap at Detroit Mercy
Thursday, November 20
WBB Cinematic Recap vs. Davenport
Monday, November 10