Logan Burgess Hayes Joins Cal Poly Women's Tennis Staff as Associate Head Coach
7/1/2026 1:30:00 PM | Women's Tennis
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Logan Burgess Hayes, who spent the past three years on the University of South Florida coaching staff, has been hired as an associate head coach for the Cal Poly women’s tennis program, head coach Ellie Edles Williams announced Wednesday.
“I’m thrilled to have Logan on board,” Williams said. “Logan not only brings a breadth of experience and knowledge, but also shares our program’s vision for development and having a growth mindset. We are lucky to have him, and I’m excited to welcome him and his wife, Gabby, to the Mustang family.”
For me, it’s always been about where I feel like I can make the most impact on the players, staff and community, and I feel I can make a tremendous difference here.Logan Burgess Hayes, Cal Poly Women's Tennis Associate Head Coach
Hayes joined South Florida’s coaching staff as an assistant coach in 2023-24, helping the Bulls post four victories over nationally ranked opponents, reach the American Athletic Conference quarterfinals and finish the year ranked No. 64 in the country with a 12-11 record. Following that season, Hayes was promoted to associate head coach, serving in that role the last two years.
“I’m so grateful for this opportunity,” Hayes said. “I can’t thank Ellie and the program’s sport administrator, Ashleigh Horstmann, enough for opening up the doors to Cal Poly and the entire San Luis Obispo community to me, and providing me an incredible glimpse into what my experience would be like there. It was something that really stood out to me throughout the entire hiring process, and I am excited to get boots on the ground and make an impact from the start.”
A native of Brighton, England, Hayes served as a graduate assistant coach at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, for two seasons from 2021-23, helping the Cardinals achieve a 26-20 record while earning his master’s in sports management. Prior to UIW, Hayes served as a volunteer assistant at Kansas State from 2019-21, aiding the Wildcats to a No. 38 national ranking and a top 25 recruiting class national during his tenure.
Hayes learned about the opportunity to join the Mustang coaching staff through a connection with Florida associate head coach Axel Damiens, who played on the Cal Poly men’s tennis team from 2014-18 and served as a student assistant coach for the program in 2018-19. Hayes was in the midst of trying to figure out the next step in his coaching career and once he spoke with Williams, it became clear San Luis Obispo was the right place for him.
“For me, it’s always been about where I feel like I can make the most impact on the players, staff and community, and I feel I can make a tremendous difference here,” he said. “Ellie’s done an incredible job building a really strong foundation, and her values and standards really aligned with what I believe in, and I thought it would be a perfect fit for me and my family to go in there and help them achieve even greater things.”
It’s just going to be about trying to find that extra 1 percent day in and day out to make them better tennis players, but more importantly, to teach them lessons to go and be successful as people beyond Cal Poly.Logan Burgess Hayes, Cal Poly Women's Tennis Associate Head Coach
A 2019 graduate of University of Illinois-Springfield with a bachelor’s in psychology, Hayes was a four-year letterwinner on the men’s tennis team for the Prairie Stars (2015-19). As a senior, he guided UIS to one of its best seasons in program history, posting a 13-5 singles record to help the team earn national (No. 36) and regional (No. 8) rankings for the first time in its NCAA era. Hayes compiled an identical 45-36 record in both singles and doubles play during his career with the Prairie Stars.
During the interview process, Hayes said it was evident how special of a place Cal Poly is, and he wanted to be a part of that.
“It’s a very people and community driven environment within athletics and outside of it, and that’s something that’s important to me,” he said. “Ellie and I really align on our values on team culture, and we’re both big believers in pushing our players very hard, but at the core of it, making sure we improve them as people first.”
Hayes joins a Cal Poly program that has seen unprecedented success under Williams’ leadership over the last four years. The Mustangs achieved a national ranking for the third straight season this spring, earned a program record sixth consecutive appearance in the Big West Championship match and recorded at least 13 dual victories for the sixth straight year, a new program record.
Hayes said he plans on bringing a fresh, outside perspective to the Mustangs built on culture, communication and accountability with hopes of helping an already winning program reach new heights.
“I’m going to lead through positivity, “ he said, “… and it’s just going to be about trying to find that extra 1 percent day in and day out to make them better tennis players, but more importantly, to teach them lessons to go and be successful as people beyond Cal Poly.”
Prior to arriving in the U.S. and attending UIS, Hayes picked up victories on the ITF Tour at the Brighton Winter Open, Woodford Wells Open and Devonshire Park Open, and achieved a No. 1744 ITF ranking while competing in Europe in 2014.
“I think so many people forget how fortunate we are to be in this position and coach the sport we love and make an impact in people’s lives,” Hayes said. “I think Ellie is someone who really understands that, and it’s so clear she loves what she does and the players she coaches, and I’m so excited to work alongside her.”
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING …
"Cal Poly got a good one with Logan joining the staff! He has established himself as one of the up and coming college coaches, he’s an active and aggressive recruiter, and he is very well respected in the coaching circles of college tennis. He will have an immediate impact on the staff and program as a whole." — Jennifer Hyde, Women’s Tennis Head Coach, Florida State
"It’s a great day for Cal Poly tennis adding Logan to their coaching staff. Logan has been able to experience high levels of collegiate tennis in his young career. I believe he will immediately bring guidance, success, and support to the student-athletes." — Jordan Smith, Women’s Tennis Head Coach, Kansas State
“This is a great hire for Cal Poly! Logan is exactly the kind of coach you want on your staff - a proven recruiter, hard working, experienced and genuinely passionate about developing players. He’s helped build programs at multiple levels ... and brings real enthusiasm to everything he does.” — Katie Dougherty, Women’s Tennis Head Coach, Maryland
"Logan will be an outstanding role model for the student athletes. He’s a tireless recruiter, sees the glass half full and develops meaningful connections with players that helps them feel comfortable and compete to their fullest potential.” — Tom Rees, Men’s & Women’s Tennis Head Coach, Georgia Gwinnett
"I couldn’t be happier for Logan and Cal Poly. He’s a great coach that has built a great resume and earned a reputation as someone who connects with student-athletes and helps them reach their potential ... As a Cal Poly alum myself, I am excited to see what he can help the program achieve in the future." — Axel Damiens, Women's Tennis Associate Head Coach, Florida
