Photo courtesy of Woodfin Funeral Chapel - Murfreesboro
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Dec 14, 1937 – Jan 7, 2022 (Age 84)
Coach Dean A. Hayes passed peacefully after a private battle with skin cancer on Jan. 7, 2022, with his family at his side. He was 84 and still an active coach. Coach Hayes was in his 57th year as head track coach at MTSU. He also was selected to coach teams for the United States and Ghana at the Olympics, World Championships, and other international meets. Dean was a National Collegiate Coach of the Year, served as president of the USATF Coaches Association and was inducted into several Halls of Fame. Dean was honored in 2009 when the MTSU Track and Soccer Stadium was renamed the Dean A. Hayes Track and Soccer Stadium.
Dean’s dry wit and generous spirit will be missed and always remembered by those whose lives he touched. He led the Blue Raiders to 55 conference titles; the last two titles in 2021 as MTSU swept the Conference USA Men’s and Women’s Cross-Country Championships. He had 20 top-25 finishes at the NCAAs and coached 53 All-Americans, including five national champions. A native of Naperville, Illinois, Dean was an All-American in the 880-yard run and the triple jump at Lake Forest College, where he also supported the Chicago Cardinals training camp in the early 1960s as an athletic assistant.
Dean’s stories were always true, even when he changed a name to protect the innocent. In his early days, Dean worked on the floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange; taught chemistry, biology and math, and coached track in both Chicago (at St. Mel High School) and Minneapolis; and ran with the Chicago Track Club. Dean found his way to MTSU in 1965 by finding schools in the South that had track programs coached by football coaches. He applied to be the track coach, thus beginning his storied college career.
Dean loved traveling with his family and spending time with his athletes, sharing stories about their antics and successes. He was instrumental in creating the Tennessee Spring Fling, which was one of the many ways he gave back to the community. Survivors include his wife, Jan, daughters Erin (Ted) and Kara (Mike), and sister Judy Wolf. The family asks you to consider donating to the MTSU Track and Field Athletes Endowed Scholarship to continue his legacy of supporting the athletic and academic successes of future generations of MTSU track and field athletes. Details on a Celebration of Life will be shared as soon as they are available.
The family welcomes receipt of any stories, photos, messages, or reflections at [email protected].
An online guestbook for the Hayes family is available at www.woodfiinchapel.com.
Woodfin Memorial Chapel. (615) 893-5151.
Read More
Mrs Hayes, please know you have my deepest condolences for your loss! Although I only ran for Dean for one year (1974-75), he made a huge impression on me and my life! We kept up over the years and actually emailed with him several times last summer!
Steve Cole
March 11, 2022 | East Point, GA | Student
I know he will be missed. He wes a great coach and mentor to me.
Robert Mcleer
February 05, 2022 | Lawrenceville, GA | Student
Coach Dean A. Hayes was a great teacher, no matter the class that he taught. In 1977, I was a student in his tennis class and he gave instructions, then stood and watch you play. At the end of the semester, it was time for you to demonstrate without instructions and to take the test. "The test" - students had not been told to purchase a book for this class, but we passed with honors from what was taught on the court. Thank you Coach Hayes for the love and respect that you showed to all...
Katie Wilson
January 21, 2022 | Murfreesboro, TN
As a member of The Track and Field coaching family at the University of Akron, I was blessed to know Coach Hayes. A tremendous Coach.....an even greater man. He was an example of what a Coach and and a friend should be. My Coach Al Cambell and my father Tom Wright who coached at BGSU held him in very high regard. The 3 of them are with the angels. Al's wife Nancy sends her prayers.
P.J. Wright
P.J. Wright
January 15, 2022 | Akron, OH | Friend
May God's promise found in John 6:40, of the hope to see our loved ones again, comfort your heart and give you peace, strength, and hope in the days ahead.
January 14, 2022
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Patti Smotherman
January 14, 2022 | Eagleville, TN | Friend
Coach took me under his wing, believed in me, and helped me reach my potential, both as a runner and a person. What a contribution he made to my life and so many others. Peace, love, and strength to Jan, Erin, Kara, and Judy.
Lea White-Bryant
January 12, 2022 | New Hope, AL | Student
Jan-I am so sorry to hear about Dean Hayes. The last time I saw him was at the dentist office that we both had the same dentist. Wherever you saw him he will speak and talk for a few minutes. I never saw him upset or having a bad day. My sincere condolences.
Joyce Vaughn
January 11, 2022 | Mufreesboro, TN | Coworker
Dean’s first year of coaching was 1959 at St Mel HS, Chicago my freshman year. After 3 years he moved on but mailed me workout schedules which I followed. Dean’s example and inspiration set me on a life-long connection with running as an athlete, coach, and official. I am forever grateful to a very special gentleman.
Bill Drennan
January 11, 2022 | Schaumburg, IL | Student
