Kristin Haynie named new Central Michigan women's basketball coach

Just over a month after landing a coaching job in the WNBA, Kristin Haynie is switching gears.

The Mason native and former Michigan State women's basketball star and assistant coach was announced as the new head coach at Central Michigan on Thursday afternoon. She became the 13th coach in program history.

"Thank you to the whole CMU administration for giving me this opportunity (to lead) this program," Haynie said. "This is truly a dream come true."

Haynie takes over at CMU after spending the past four seasons as an assistant at MSU under coach Suzy Merchant. She was hired by the Minnesota Lynx last month shortly after Merchant stepped down due to health reasons before leaving that role to lead the Chippewas.

The opportunity at Central marks Haynie's first head-coaching position.

"We wanted a coach that puts student-athletes first, their well being on the court and beyond," CMU Director of Athletics Amy Folan said. "Saying this is great, but we actually even saw it in her history and what she’s about. I’m excited for her to lead our women on the court and in life, which she emulates through her accomplishments and her daily efforts.

"Kristin embodies what women's basketball players aspire to be."

Haynie began her coaching career as an assistant at Eastern Michigan in 2012. She followed with a stint at Central Michigan under coach Sue Guevara from 2014 to 2017. She was part of a Mid-American Conference championship in 2017.

Haynie replaces Mason graduate Heather Oesterle as the Chippewas' coach. Oesterle was let go earlier this month after going 51-64 in four seasons after replacing Guevara, who she served under as an assistant. CMU is coming off a 6-23 season.

Haynie will try to lead a turnaround and get CMU back to the high level it played at during Guevara's tenure. She has a winning background and was a key piece on MSU's national runner-up team in 2005 and won a WNBA title with the Sacramento Monarchs.

"I’m so excited to be faced with this challenge of carrying on the past success this program has achieved," Haynie said. "I’m new to being a head coach, but I’m not new to winning."

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway:

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Women's basketball: Kristin Haynie named Central Michigan coach