View source for Randy Ayers

{{Short description|American basketball coach (born 1956)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Randy Ayers
| image = Randy Ayers in 2009.jpg
| image_size = 
| caption = Ayers in 2009.
| league = [[National Basketball Association|NBA]]
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lbs = 195
| team = Phoenix Suns
| position = Assistant coach / Coaching advisor
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1956|4|16}}
| birth_place = [[Springfield, Ohio]], U.S.
| highschool = [[North High School (Springfield, Ohio)|North]] (Springfield, Ohio)
| college = [[Miami RedHawks men's basketball|Miami (Ohio)]] (1974–1978)
| draft_year = 1978
| draft_round = 3
| draft_pick = 53
| draft_team = [[Chicago Bulls]]
| player_start = 1978
| player_end = 1979
| years1 = 1978–1979
| team1 = Reno Bighorns
| coach_start = 1979
| career_end = 
| cyears1 = 1979–1981
| cteam1 = [[Miami RedHawks men's basketball|Miami (Ohio)]] (graduate assistant)
| cyears2 = 1982–1984
| cteam2 = [[Army Black Knights men's basketball|Army]] (assistant)
| cyears3 = 1984–1989
| cteam3 = [[Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball|Ohio State]] (assistant)
| cyears4 = 1989–1997
| cteam4 = Ohio State
| cyears5 = {{nbay|1999|start}}–{{nbay|2002|end}}
| cteam5 = [[Philadelphia 76ers]] (assistant)
| cyears6 = {{nbay|2003|full=y}}
| cteam6 = Philadelphia 76ers
| cyears7 = {{nbay|2005|start}}–{{nbay|2006|end}}
| cteam7 = [[Orlando Magic]] (assistant)
| cyears8 = {{nbay|2007|start}}–{{nbay|2008|end}}
| cteam8 = [[Washington Wizards]] (assistant)
| cyears10 = {{nbay|2010|start}}–{{nbay|2011|end}}
| cteam10 = [[New Orleans Pelicans|New Orleans Hornets]] (assistant)
| cyears11 = {{nbay|2014|full=y}}
| cteam11 = [[New Orleans Pelicans]] (assistant)
| cyears12 = {{nbay|2019|start}}&ndash;present
| cteam12 = [[Phoenix Suns]] (assistant)
| highlights = 
*[[Naismith College Coach of the Year]] (1991)
*[[Henry Iba Award]] (1992)
}}

'''Randall Duane Ayers''' (born April 16, 1956) is an American [[basketball]] coach who is currently an assistant coach (through a coaching advisor position) for the [[Phoenix Suns]] of the [[National Basketball Association]]. Ayers grew up in [[Springfield, Ohio]] and played college basketball at [[Miami RedHawks men's basketball|Miami University]] in Ohio. He has been a basketball coach since 1979.

He was selected in the third round of the [[1978 NBA draft]] by the [[Chicago Bulls]]. He played one year of professional basketball for the Reno Bighorns of the [[World Basketball Association]]. In 1979, he returned to Miami as an assistant coach. After four years on the Miami staff, Ayers was an assistant at [[Army Black Knights men's basketball|Army]] from 1982 to 1984.

From 1984 to 1989, Ayers was an assistant at [[Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball|Ohio State]] under Eldon Miller and [[Gary Williams]] and was promoted to head coach in 1989. In eight seasons at Ohio State, Ayers had a 124–108 record with three straight [[NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA tournament]] appearances from 1990 to 1992. In 1991 and 1992, Ohio State won back-to-back [[Big Ten Conference]] regular season titles and top-five national finishes. However, amidst declining team performance and an ethics violation, Ayers was fired in 1997.

Since leaving Ohio State, Ayers has coached in the NBA, starting as an assistant with the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] from 1999 to 2003. Ayers was head coach for the 76ers in the 2003–04 season, the last head coaching job he would hold. Subsequently, Ayers was an assistant for the [[Orlando Magic]] from 2005 to 2007, [[Washington Wizards]] from 2007 to 2009, the [[New Orleans Pelicans|New Orleans Hornets (later Pelicans)]] from 2010 to 2012 and 2014 to 2015, and then the Phoenix Suns beginning in 2019.

==Early life==
Ayers was born in [[Springfield, Ohio]], the fourth of eight children of Frank Ayers and Betty Basey. He played basketball at [[North High School (Springfield, Ohio)|North High School]] in Springfield, where he was named Ohio high school Class AAA (big-school) player of the year in 1974.<ref name="ohiobasketballhalloffame.com">{{Cite web|url=https://ohiobasketballhalloffame.com/?p=2160|title=Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame|website=Ohiobasketballhalloffame.com|access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref>

==College career==
Ayers attended [[Miami University]] in [[Oxford, Ohio]], where he played basketball. Ayers made his mark more as a defender, rebounder and playmaker than as a scorer, as Miami teammates [[Archie Aldridge]] as well as Chuck Goodyear provided much of the offense. As a freshman in 1974–75, Ayers saw significant playing time, averaged 8.5 points per game (ppg) with a .560 field goal percentage as the Redskins, coached by [[Darrell Hedric]], posted a 19–7 record.<ref name="mured-2013–14"/> He was named honorable mention All-[[Mid-American Conference]] (MAC)

As a sophomore in 1975–76, Ayers became a starter and averaged 10.9 ppg as the team finished 18–8 and second in the MAC. He was again named honorable mention All-MAC.<ref name="mured-2013–14"/>

As a junior in 1976–77, Ayers increased his scoring average to 12.8 ppg and 8.1 rebounds per game (rpg) as, for the third season, he was named honorable mention All-MAC. The Redskins posted an overall record of 20–6 and were MAC co-champions.<ref name="mured-2013–14"/>

In his senior year of 1977–78, Ayers increased his scoring average for the third straight year with 13.4 ppg and had 7.0 rpg. He was named second-team All-MAC as his teammate, Archie Aldridge, earned MAC Player of the Year. Ayers was also named Miami's Defensive Player of the Year.<ref name="mured-2013–14"/> Miami's record was 19–9 but they earned an outright MAC championship and earned a berth in the [[1978 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA tournament]].<ref name="mured-2013–14">{{Cite web |url=http://www.muredhawks.com/fls/26100/sports/m_basketball/PDF/2013-14MBKMediaSupplement_Web.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2014-03-10 |archive-date=2015-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118114118/http://www.muredhawks.com/fls/26100/sports/m_basketball/PDF/2013-14MBKMediaSupplement_Web.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>  Miami opened the tournament with a thrilling 84–81 overtime win over defending national champion [[Marquette University|Marquette]], a game in which Ayers had a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds plus three assists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/1978-03-11-marquette.html|title=Miami (OH) vs. Marquette Box Score, March 11, 1978|website=Sports-Reference.com|access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref> In the next round they were defeated by eventual national champion [[University of Kentucky|Kentucky]], 91–69, although Ayers had another big game with 18 points, eight rebounds and three assists.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/boxscores/1978-03-16-kentucky.html|title=Miami (OH) vs. Kentucky Box Score, March 16, 1978|website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com|access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref>

Ayers earned a bachelor's degree in education in 1978 and master's degree in 1981, both from Miami.<ref name="Ohio State">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19961018061326/http://www.acs.ohio-state.edu/units/athletics/sports/basketballmen/mbbstaff/Ayers.html|archivedate=October 18, 1996|title=Randy Ayers|url=http://www.acs.ohio-state.edu/units/athletics/sports/basketballmen/mbbstaff/Ayers.html|publisher=The Ohio State University|accessdate=December 19, 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Professional playing career==
He was drafted in the third round of the [[1978 NBA draft]] by the [[Chicago Bulls]], but was cut from the team and then played professionally in [[Reno, Nevada]] for the Reno Bighorns in the fledgling [[Western Basketball Association]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1979/02/12/taking-a-gamble-on-the-future-the-western-basketball-association-has-franchises-stretching-from-tucson-to-las-vegas-to-montana-its-a-last-chance-for-some-and-the-only-chance-for-other-nba-hopefuls-coaches-as-well-as-players|title=Taking a gamble on the future|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=February 12, 1979|last=Kirkpatrick|first=Curry|accessdate=December 12, 2021}}</ref><ref name="76erscoach">{{cite web|title=Sixers promote Ayers to replace departed Brown as coach|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/6440420/sixers-promote-ayers-to-replace-departed-brown-as-coach|work=CBS Sports|date=June 20, 2003|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030829062852/http://sportsline.com/nba/story/6440420|archivedate=August 29, 2003|accessdate=December 12, 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ayers earned second-team all-league honors, but the WBA folded after one season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.apbr.org/wba78-79.html|title = Western Basketball Association}}</ref>

==Coaching career==

===Early coaching career (1979–1989)===
In 1979, Ayers returned to Miami University for graduate school and became a graduate assistant for his former coach Hedric.<ref name="Ohio State"/> After completing graduate school, Ayers became an assistant coach at [[Army Black Knights men's basketball|Army]], where he spent two seasons until 1983.<ref name="Ohio State"/> Then from 1983 to 1991, Ayers was an assistant coach at [[Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball|Ohio State]], first as a part-time assistant under [[Eldon Miller]] until 1986. New head coach [[Gary Williams]] retained Ayers on staff and promoted Ayers to full-time in 1987.<ref name="Ohio State"/>

===Ohio State head coach (1989–1997)===
On July 3, 1989, Ohio State promoted Ayers to head coach after Williams left to take the head coaching job at [[Maryland Terrapins men's basketball|Maryland]].<ref name="clean sweep"/> Ayers led Ohio State to a 17–13 record in his debut season; Ohio State lost in the second round of the [[1990 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1990 NCAA tournament]] to eventual national champion [[1989–90 UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball team|UNLV]].<ref name="Ohio State"/>

The 1990–91 Ohio State Buckeyes finished 27–4 with a share of the Big Ten regular season title, the program's first conference title in 20 years. In the [[1991 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1991 NCAA tournament]], Ohio State advanced to the Sweet 16. After the season, Ayers was unanimously voted by peer Big Ten coaches as [[Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Coach of the Year|Big Ten Coach of the Year]] and won the [[Associated Press College Basketball Coach of the Year]] award.<ref>{{cite web|title=Matta, Ayers Honored at Miami, Ohio|url=http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/092212aab.html|publisher=The Ohio State University|date=September 22, 2012|access-date=December 19, 2021|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116145549/http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/092212aab.html|archivedate=November 16, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Ohio State"/> Then in 1991–92, Ohio State went 26–6, won the Big Ten title outright, and made the Elite Eight round of the [[1992 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1992 NCAA tournament]].<ref name="Ohio State"/> This was the first time since 1964 that Ohio State won two consecutive conference titles, and would be their last conference titles in the pre-[[Big Ten men's basketball tournament|conference tournament]] era.<ref name="Ohio State"/> Ohio State forward [[Jim Jackson (basketball)|Jim Jackson]] became the fourth overall pick in the [[1992 NBA draft]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jacksji01.html|title = Jim Jackson Stats}}</ref>

Although it was not apparent at the time, Ayers' tenure had crested. Ohio State significantly regressed in 1992–93. Despite peaking at #21 in the [[AP Poll]], Ohio State finished 15–13 and exited after the first round of the [[1993 National Invitation Tournament]] with a loss to Miami University.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/ohio-state/1993-schedule.html|title=1992–93 Ohio State Buckeyes Schedule and Results|publisher=Sports Reference|accessdate=December 19, 2021}}</ref> The next season, Ohio State dropped to 13–16, the first losing season in 17 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/ohio-state/|title = Ohio State Buckeyes Index}}</ref>

In June 1994, the [[National Collegiate Athletics Association]] placed Ohio State on one year's probation after finding that Ayers improperly met with a high school recruit and basketball coach during a restricted time period and paid $60 to the coach.<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.buckeyesports.com/reports/BSBReprints_NCAA_probe.pdf|title=Finally!! Length NCAA Probe Results In Probation For Buckeyes|work=Buckeye Sports Bulletin|date=July 1994|volume=13|issue=29|pages=1–2|accessdate=December 19, 2021}}</ref> Also that year, Ohio State power forward [[Lawrence Funderburke]] was selected in the second round of the [[1994 NBA draft|NBA draft]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/fundela01.html|title = Lawrence Funderburke Stats}}</ref> However, Ohio State continued to struggle with three straight losing seasons, as low as 6–22 in 1994–95.<ref name="sports reference">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/coaches/randy-ayers-1.html|title=Randy Ayers|publisher=Sports Reference|accessdate=December 19, 2021}}</ref>

On March 10, 1997, Ohio State athletic director [[Andy Geiger]] fired Ayers. In eight seasons, Ayers had a cumulative 124–108 record at Ohio State.<ref name="clean sweep">{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19970712152720/http://www.dispatch.com/news/sports/osufirings311.html|archivedate=July 12, 1997|last=Sullivan|first=Mike|title=Clean sweep at OSU|url=http://www.dispatch.com/news/sports/osufirings311.html|work=The Columbus Dispatch|date=March 11, 1997|accessdate=December 19, 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref> On April 29 that year, Ohio State reached a nearly $637,000 settlement with Ayers to buy out the remaining two years of his contract.<ref>{{cite web|last=Baptist|first=Bob|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19970712132738/http://www.dispatch.com:80/news/sports/ayers429.html|url=http://www.dispatch.com:80/news/sports/ayers429.html|archivedate=July 12, 1997|title=Still hurting, Ayers accepts settlement|date=April 29, 1997|work=The Columbus Dispatch|accessdate=December 19, 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Philadelphia 76ers assistant and head coach (1997–2004)===
Ayers was named head coach of the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] on June 20, 2003,<ref name="76erscoach"/> after serving as an assistant coach with the team since 1997. He compiled a 21–31 record during the [[2003–04 NBA season|2003–04 season]], but was fired in the middle of the season.

===Later NBA career (2005–present)===
He then served as an assistant coach for the [[Orlando Magic]]. On July 24, 2007, Ayers was hired as an assistant coach for the [[Washington Wizards]]. On August 5, 2009, Ayers returned to the [[Philadelphia 76ers]] to serve as an assistant coach under [[Eddie Jordan (basketball)|Eddie Jordan]].<ref>[https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=4380113&campaign=rss&source=NBAHeadlines ESPN.com] Ayers back as Philly assistant coach, August 5, 2009.</ref> Ayers then joined the coaching staff of the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans) in 2010, continuing his position until 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/hornets/news/randy_ayers_named_assistant_co_2010_08_04.html|title=Charlotte Hornets News Headlines|website=Nba.com|access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref> He returned with the Pelicans for the [[2014–15 NBA season]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/NOP/2015.html|title=2014–15 New Orleans Pelicans Roster and Stats|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref> before being hired as a scout for the [[Brooklyn Nets]] on November 3, 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/nets/brooklyn-nets-add-ayers-and-bender-scouting-staff|title=Brooklyn Nets Add Ayers and Bender to Scouting Staff|website=Nba.com|access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref>

On June 26, 2019, Ayers was hired as an assistant coach for the [[Phoenix Suns]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/news/suns-complete-coaching-staff-official-release|title=Phoenix Suns announce complete coaching staff|website=Nba.com|access-date=26 November 2021}}</ref> On June 28, 2022, Ayers was moved to the team's coaching advisor position, which allows him to take on a smaller role with the coaching staff and spend more time with his family, as well as remain a key part of the Suns' coaching staff.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SUNS ANNOUNCE ADDITION OF PATRICK MUTOMBO TO COACHING STAFF, TRANSITION OF RANDY AYERS TO COACHING ADVISOR |url=https://www.nba.com/suns/press-release/suns-announce-addition-patrick-mutombo-coaching-staff-transition-randy-ayers-coaching-advisor |access-date=2022-07-24 |website=Phoenix Suns |language=en}}</ref>

==Head coaching record==

=== College===
{{CBB Yearly Record Start | type = | conference = | postseason = | poll = }}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name       = [[Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball|Ohio State Buckeyes]]
 | conference = [[Big Ten Conference]]
 | startyear  = 1989
 | endyear    = 1997
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[1989–90 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1989–90]]
 | name         = [[1989–90 Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team|Ohio State]]
 | overall      = 17–13
 | conference   = 10–8
 | confstanding = 6th
 | postseason   = [[1990 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I second round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | season       = [[1990–91 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1990–91]]
 | name         = [[1990–91 Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team|Ohio State]]
 | overall      = 27–4
 | conference   = 15–3
 | confstanding = 1st
 | postseason   = [[1991 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I Sweet 16]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | season       = [[1991–92 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1991–92]]
 | name         = [[1991–92 Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team|Ohio State]]
 | overall      = 26–6
 | conference   = 15–3
 | confstanding = 1st
 | postseason   = [[1992 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I Elite Eight]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[1992–93 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1992–93]]
 | name         = Ohio State
 | overall      = 15–13
 | conference   = 8–10
 | confstanding = 7th
 | postseason   = [[1993 National Invitation Tournament|NIT first round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[1993–94 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1993–94]]
 | name         = Ohio State
 | overall      = 13–16
 | conference   = 6–12
 | confstanding = 8th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[1994–95 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1994–95]]
 | name         = Ohio State
 | overall      = 6–22
 | conference   = 2–16
 | confstanding = 10th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[1995–96 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1995–96]]
 | name         = Ohio State
 | overall      = 10–17
 | conference   = 3–15
 | confstanding = 11th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[1996–97 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1996–97]]
 | name         = Ohio State
 | overall      = 10–17
 | conference   = 5–13
 | confstanding = 9th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Ohio State
 | overall    = 124–108 ({{Winning percentage|124|108}})
 | confrecord = 64–80 ({{Winning percentage|64|80}})
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record End
 | overall = 124–108 ({{Winning percentage|124|108}})
}}

=== NBA ===

{{NBA coach statistics legend}}
{{NBA coach statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[2003–04 Philadelphia 76ers season|Philadelphia]]
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2003}}
|52||21||31||{{Winning percentage|21|31}}|| align="center"|(fired)|||—||—||—||—
| style="text-align:center;"|—
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:left;"|'''Career'''
| ||52||21||31||{{Winning percentage|21|31}}|| ||—||—||—||—||
{{s-end}}

==Personal life==
Ayers' youngest brother, [[Tim Ayers]], served as mayor and city commissioner of Springfield, Ohio from 1984 to 1990.

Ayers married high school Spanish teacher Carol Denise Peery in 1983. They have two sons. Ryan Ayers (born July 16, 1986) played college basketball at [[Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball|Notre Dame]] and was later an assistant coach there. [[Cameron Ayers]] (born September 18, 1991) played college basketball at [[Bucknell University]] and played pro basketball.

He was inducted into the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.<ref name="ohiobasketballhalloffame.com"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110622093314/http://www.nba.com/coachfile/randy_ayers/ Randy Ayers profile on NBA.com]
* [https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/ayersra99c.html BasketballReference.com: Randy Ayers]

{{Phoenix Suns current roster}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Randy Ayers—awards and honors
| list1 =
{{Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball coach navbox}}
{{Philadelphia 76ers coach navbox}}
{{Henry Iba Award}}
{{Naismith Coach of the Year}}
{{Associated Press College Basketball Coach of the Year}}
{{Big Ten Conference Men's Basketball Coach of the Year navbox}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ayers, Randy}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Army Black Knights men's basketball coaches]]
[[Category:Basketball coaches from Ohio]]
[[Category:Basketball players from Ohio]]
[[Category:Chicago Bulls draft picks]]
[[Category:College men's basketball head coaches in the United States]]
[[Category:Miami RedHawks men's basketball players]]
[[Category:New Orleans Hornets assistant coaches]]
[[Category:New Orleans Pelicans assistant coaches]]
[[Category:Orlando Magic assistant coaches]]
[[Category:Philadelphia 76ers assistant coaches]]
[[Category:Philadelphia 76ers head coaches]]
[[Category:Phoenix Suns assistant coaches]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Springfield, Ohio]]
[[Category:Washington Wizards assistant coaches]]
[[Category:Western Basketball Association players]]