Georgia basketball hires former Georgia State head coach

Former Georgia Bulldogs basketball star Jonas Hayes has been named as the assistant coach to Mike White prior to the 2026-27 campaign. Hayes played a critical role for the Dawgs from 2001-2004, as the former Georgia forward now finds himself back in Athens as the newest member of the Bulldogs’ coaching staff.

Hayes has spent the last four seasons as the head coach of the Georgia State Panthers. Hayes led Georgia State to a 48-79 record during his four seasons as the Panthers' head coach. The Panthers never had a winning record during his four seasons with the team (2022-2026).

Before Georgia State, Hayes led the Xavier Musketeers to an NIT Championship appearance in 2022. An Atlanta native, Hayes served as an assistant on the Dawgs’ coaching staff from 2013-2018 prior to his time at Georgia State. Hayes has spent 11 total seasons at Georgia as both a player and coach.

Former Georgia State Panthers head coach Jonas Hayes looks on during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats

Hayes and his twin brother Jarvis originally transferred to Georgia from Western Carolina prior to the 2001 campaign. The talented forward averaged 11.9 points and 5.3 rebounds throughout his final year in Athens during the 2003-04 season, as Hayes has cemented himself as a prominent figure in Georgia basketball history as both a player and coach. Both Hayes and coach Mike White will look to build off this past season's success next year, as Hayes will now enter his 12th overall season with the Bulldogs following the announcement.

Hayes and the rest of the Dawgs’ staff will continue adding talent from the transfer portal this offseason. Georgia has lost star guard Jeremiah Wilkinson and center Somto Cyril to the portal this offseason. Coach Hayes and UGA will have a lot of new talent to work with throughout the 2026-27 campaign.