Lee Hays was named head football coach at Sul Ross State on Feb. 15, 2025.
Hays comes to Alpine from Lubbock-Cooper High School (2018-24) where he was the offensive line coach and assistant offensive coordinator. Over the last four years, he helped the Pirates to the most wins and play-off games in school history.
Hays got his coaching start at Texas A&M Kingsville, 1997-98. He oversaw the tight ends while helping the Javelinas to a 20-5 record, winning the Lone Star Conference title twice and qualifying for the NCAA Division II playoffs both seasons.
After a stint as the offensive line coach at West Texas A&M in 1999, he returned to Kingsville as the defensive line coach (2000) and the offensive line coach (2001-02), developing 13 All-LSC selections and winning two additional LSC championships, and an appearance at the national semi-finals in 2002.
Hays returned to Canyon as the offensive coordinator from 2003-05 and after winning just seven games in the previous four seasons combined, helped the Buffaloes to a 10-2 record, their first conference championship since 1986 and a first-ever NCAA Division II playoff appearance – their best season in 55 years. In 2005, his offense led the country in passing with an average of 363.8 yards per game, garnering 23 All-LSC selections including three individual Lone Star Award winners.
Hays was hired as the offensive coordinator at Baylor in 2006, when the Bears averaged 23.6 points per game, their best mark since joining the Big 12 in 1996. He made a move to the University of Houston 10 2010, coaching the offensive line, and then to Tarleton State in 2011 as the offensive coordinator. The Texans averaged 32.1 points and nearly 400 offensive yards per game, doubling their win total from the year before.
Hays served as the offensive line coach at Texas Tech (2013-16). The Red Raiders ranked amongst the Top 10 in total offense all four years, appeared in two bowl games, had their first 1000-yard rusher since 1999, and signed the highest ranked offensive line class in program history. Hays helped develop seven All-Big 12 selections including LeRaven Clark (two-time All-Big 12 First Team, 2015 Second Team All-American).
Hays has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Texas A&M Kingsville and a Master of Interdisciplinary Studies from West Texas A&M.
Originally from Del Rio, Hays and his wife, Roxanne, have two children – Cade and Shanlee.
