Georgia basketball hires former Georgia State head coach

The University of Georgia has appointed Jonas Hayes as an assistant coach to Mike White for the 2026-27 men's basketball season. Hayes, a former Bulldogs star player from 2001-2004, returns to Athens after four seasons as head coach at Georgia State, where he led the Panthers to a 48-79 record. Hayes previously served as an assistant coach at Georgia from 2013-2018 and has spent 11 total seasons with the Bulldogs as a player and coach. He will help rebuild the team after losing key players Jeremiah Wilkinson and Somto Cyril to the transfer portal. Hayes and White will focus on adding new talent from the transfer portal during the offseason. The team is expected to have a new look for the 2026-27 campaign.