LaGrange won 18 games as recently as 2007 but has recorded single-digit victories each of the past four years. LaGrange athletics photo

LaGrange men's basketball coach Warren Haynes has resigned his head coaching post effective March 31, 2011. In his nine seasons at the helm, Haynes recorded an 88-149 mark but took the Panthers to the GSAC tournament championship game three times including the last two seasons consecutively.

"It has been extremely hard for me to walk away from LaGrange College and basketball," he said. "If I didn't know this would be the wisest decision for my family, there would be no way I would do it. Ultimately, I have to do what is best for my wife, our son and our future."

President Dan McAlexander praised the coach's impact, both in and out of the gym. "Warren Haynes has shown class on the court, and he holds his players to a high standard of character," McAlexander said. "That passion for excellence has carried over into how he has represented this college."

Haynes came to LaGrange in 1996 as a junior college transfer from Wallace State in Alabama. He played at LaGrange, then was a graduate assistant and assistant coach before being named head coach in 2002.

"Warren always went about his business in the same way: working hard at all times, said athletic director Phil Williamson. "We really appreciate his work ethic and dedication. You always knew, win or lose, that his teams were going to play hard every night."

Haynes plans to take a position with his stepfather's international shipping business in Atlanta. "We wish Warren and his family the best in his new endeavors," stated Williamson.

The Panthers came within moments of claiming its first-ever GSAC championship in men's basketball this season, falling to Huntingdon in overtime in the tournament championship game. LaGrange boasted a pair of All-Conference selections, one All-Freshman honoree, and placed two student-athletes on the league's All-Academic list.