After a decade at the helm of Fresno Pacific University's men's basketball program, head coach C.J. Haydock has announced he is stepping down—leaving behind a legacy that extends far beyond the win column.
The Fresno native, who played his high school ball at Fresno Christian and later suited up for the Sunbirds as a college athlete, took over the program in 2016 after just one season as an assistant. Over the next ten years, he would go on to become the winningest coach in the program's 62-year history, a milestone reached during the 2024-25 season.
"I'm ready for my family to get my best energy now," Haydock said in a press release announcing the move. "I'm exiting with my head held high, knowing that our program is being left better than how we found it."
While his on-court achievements are impressive, Haydock's true impact is measured in the lives he's shaped. Under his leadership, the team established a core philosophy of "First Things Stay First"—a value system that prioritizes leadership, academics, relationships, holistic development, and team culture above all else. His squads consistently posted GPAs above 3.0 and averaged more than 300 hours of community engagement and service each season.
Sixteen of his players have gone on to play professionally overseas, a testament to the program's ability to develop talent both on and off the court.
"C.J. has done an outstanding job leading our men's basketball team for the past decade," said FPU Director of Athletics Kyle Ferguson. "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."
Before arriving at FPU, Haydock made his mark at the high school level, leading Immanuel to back-to-back Valley championships and a No. 1 ranking in the state during the 2014-15 season. His coaching journey has come full circle at his alma mater, where he's now ready to pass the torch.
"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 reflected. "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."
As the Sunbirds begin the search for their next head coach, they do so knowing the program is in a stronger place than when Haydock found it—a fitting final chapter for a coach who gave his best to the game.