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University of Oklahoma Athletics
Baranczyk Adds Nicci Hays Fort to Staff
August 27, 2024 | Women's Basketball
NORMAN – Oklahoma head women's basketball coach Jennie Baranczyk announced Nicci Hays Fort as OU's director of recruiting, influence and branding strategy on Tuesday.
Hays Fort, a former head coach, joins the Sooners after eight seasons at Drake, including five under Baranczyk's leadership. In her new role at Oklahoma, she will spearhead the recruitment strategy and retention of the nation's elite student-athletes while managing their influence and personal brands.
"Nicci is someone I've known for a long time, and she has a lengthy track record of success on and off the court," Baranczyk said. "We're so excited to have her join us at Oklahoma. With her rich experience, visionary thinking and great connections, we know that her strategic approach to the ever-changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics will be invaluable to our program and its student-athletes."
Hays Fort, a 26-year coaching veteran, has served as a head coach, associate head coach and assistant coach at various levels of college basketball. In her eight years at Drake, she helped lead the Bulldogs to five NCAA Tournaments and seven 20-win seasons. While working under Baranczyk in Des Moines, Hays Fort contributed to Drake's three straight conference championships and a Missouri Valley Conference record of 53-1 from 2017 to 2019. She also assisted Drake in securing two more conference titles in 2023 and 2024, and helped the 2023-24 team amass a school-record 29 wins.
Before her time at Drake, Hays Fort served as head coach at Colgate from 2011-16. In 2013-14, she led the Raiders to their most conference wins in over a decade. Her teams produced seven All-Patriot League honorees and set a program record with 170 blocked shots in 2016.
Prior to Colgate, Hays Fort spent five successful seasons at DePaul. Hired as an assistant coach in 2006, she helped guide the Blue Demons to four consecutive NCAA Tournaments before being promoted to associate head coach in 2010. In total, DePaul made five NCAA Tournament appearances during her tenure, posting a 112-54 (.675) record. In her last season on Doug Bruno's staff, DePaul finished 10th in the AP Poll after posting a 29-7 record.
Hays Fort's coaching experience also includes stints at Barry University (2002-06), Nicholls State (2000-02) and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (1998-00).
A 1998 graduate of Culver-Stockton College, Hays Fort began her college career at Truman State University, where she was a two-sport student-athlete in basketball and softball.
She and her husband, Gregg, reside in Norman.
Hays Fort will collaborate with key stakeholders at Oklahoma to strengthen community ties and develop marketing and branding strategies focused on women's basketball student-athletes. She will serve as the primary contact for NIL initiatives and other opportunities for the women's basketball team. Hays Fort brings valuable expertise in this new pioneering position, positioning the Sooners as a trailblazing program in a highly competitive and quickly changing landscape.
CAREER HISTORY
2024-Present: Oklahoma
Director of Recruiting, Influence and Branding Strategy
2016-2024: Drake
Assistant Coach
2011-16: Colgate
Head Coach
2010-11: DePaul
Associate Head Coach
2006-10: DePaul
Assistant Coach
2002-06: Barry
Head Coach
2000-02: Nicholls State
Assistant Coach
1998-00: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Head coach
NCAA TOURNAMENTS (10)
2024 First Round (Drake)
2023 First Round (Drake)
2019 First Round (Drake)
2018 First Round (Drake)
2017 First Round (Drake)
2011 Sweet 16 (DePaul)
2010 First Round (DePaul)
2009 First Round (DePaul)
2008 First Round (DePaul)
2007 First Round (DePaul)
Hays Fort, a former head coach, joins the Sooners after eight seasons at Drake, including five under Baranczyk's leadership. In her new role at Oklahoma, she will spearhead the recruitment strategy and retention of the nation's elite student-athletes while managing their influence and personal brands.
"Nicci is someone I've known for a long time, and she has a lengthy track record of success on and off the court," Baranczyk said. "We're so excited to have her join us at Oklahoma. With her rich experience, visionary thinking and great connections, we know that her strategic approach to the ever-changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics will be invaluable to our program and its student-athletes."
Hays Fort, a 26-year coaching veteran, has served as a head coach, associate head coach and assistant coach at various levels of college basketball. In her eight years at Drake, she helped lead the Bulldogs to five NCAA Tournaments and seven 20-win seasons. While working under Baranczyk in Des Moines, Hays Fort contributed to Drake's three straight conference championships and a Missouri Valley Conference record of 53-1 from 2017 to 2019. She also assisted Drake in securing two more conference titles in 2023 and 2024, and helped the 2023-24 team amass a school-record 29 wins.
Before her time at Drake, Hays Fort served as head coach at Colgate from 2011-16. In 2013-14, she led the Raiders to their most conference wins in over a decade. Her teams produced seven All-Patriot League honorees and set a program record with 170 blocked shots in 2016.
Prior to Colgate, Hays Fort spent five successful seasons at DePaul. Hired as an assistant coach in 2006, she helped guide the Blue Demons to four consecutive NCAA Tournaments before being promoted to associate head coach in 2010. In total, DePaul made five NCAA Tournament appearances during her tenure, posting a 112-54 (.675) record. In her last season on Doug Bruno's staff, DePaul finished 10th in the AP Poll after posting a 29-7 record.
Hays Fort's coaching experience also includes stints at Barry University (2002-06), Nicholls State (2000-02) and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (1998-00).
A 1998 graduate of Culver-Stockton College, Hays Fort began her college career at Truman State University, where she was a two-sport student-athlete in basketball and softball.
She and her husband, Gregg, reside in Norman.
Hays Fort will collaborate with key stakeholders at Oklahoma to strengthen community ties and develop marketing and branding strategies focused on women's basketball student-athletes. She will serve as the primary contact for NIL initiatives and other opportunities for the women's basketball team. Hays Fort brings valuable expertise in this new pioneering position, positioning the Sooners as a trailblazing program in a highly competitive and quickly changing landscape.
THE HAYS FORT FILE
CAREER HISTORY2024-Present: Oklahoma
Director of Recruiting, Influence and Branding Strategy
2016-2024: Drake
Assistant Coach
2011-16: Colgate
Head Coach
2010-11: DePaul
Associate Head Coach
2006-10: DePaul
Assistant Coach
2002-06: Barry
Head Coach
2000-02: Nicholls State
Assistant Coach
1998-00: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Head coach
NCAA TOURNAMENTS (10)
2024 First Round (Drake)
2023 First Round (Drake)
2019 First Round (Drake)
2018 First Round (Drake)
2017 First Round (Drake)
2011 Sweet 16 (DePaul)
2010 First Round (DePaul)
2009 First Round (DePaul)
2008 First Round (DePaul)
2007 First Round (DePaul)
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