Basketball is a sport that has many different meanings for fans. Whether someone has been playing their whole life or just likes to watch March Madness, two fan’s love and passion for the game won’t be exactly the same. When it comes to being the men’s basketball head coach for Fresno City College, it simply means everything to Rob Haynes.
Born in Brooklyn, Haynes has a long history with basketball, playing at Beach Channel High school in Queens, New York and moving to California in 2001 to play for Porterville College. After his time with Porterville, Haynes transferred to play Division II college basketball for Colorado State University-Pueblo as captain for two years. After his two years as captain for Colorado State University-Pueblo, his coaching career began with a return to Porterville College in 2007 serving as the head coach for nine years. He came to FCC in 2021 and has managed the team for four years.
“Basketball has also opened up doors and opportunities for other players and coaches that play for me or even coach with me. Basketball is everything for me. May not be like that for everybody else, but it’s like that for me,” Haynes said.
When Haynes came to FCC, the team was on probation for four years and banned from playoffs for two years after previous head coach Edward Madec was terminated for committing violations against the California Community College Athletic Association. The violations were issued by CCCAA’s Central Valley Conference.
In a previous article written by The Rampage violations pertaining to Madec included, providing at a less than fair market value of housing for Fresno City men’s basketball players, providing excessive team meals which were given during the season and the offseason, providing apparel in excess and used for impermissible benefits and not cooperating with the investigation.
Madec was able to keep his job as a tenured physical education instructor but was faced with hot water again. According to the Fresno Spotlight, Madec was accused of threatening to kill previous FCC president Carole Goldsmith after voicing his frustrations in his classroom, retaining to the long legal battle.
However, Haynes didn’t let this discourage his journey with the team, working with the Rams and making sure they were ready when the penalties were lifted.
“We got around that dark cloud, and now we get a chance to get an opportunity to go out there and compete in the playoffs, compete for a state championship. So that was one of the biggest obstacles having to get through,” Haynes said.
Basketball has taken Haynes from the East Coast to the West Coast and he is more than proud to represent FCC.
“It’s an honor to wear a Fresno City shirt and say that I’m a head coach here. We’re all winners not just basketball, Fresno City sports in general,” Haynes said.
The transition from player to coach isn’t as simple as some might think, Haynes reflected on his journey from being a leader in a jersey to a leader with a whistle.
“You had to stop thinking as a player. I had to get to the point where I had to stop saying ‘this is what I did when I played.’ Kids don’t want to hear that stuff. So that was a little tough one of getting out of the player mindset, of what I would do compared to, what can I do to help you and others,” Haynes said.
Haynes works hard with his players, to make sure they are ready for whatever comes next on and off the court.
“That’s my personal goal besides the basketball part, is to continue to see young men develop and grow and be responsible. See them be successful, whether they go on to play at a next level or not,” Haynes said.
It’s a personal goal for Haynes to ensure the success of his players.
“I think for me that’s one of the main reasons why I got into coaching, because somebody gave me a chance, an opportunity to change my life. And so this is how I give back,” Haynes said.
