Coach Haynes has been playing basketball for numerous years. He will hopefully be back to coach next year.

Junior varsity coach shows his true colors
Marissa Martinez | 2/29/08 | Black History Month feature

Rob Haynes is a local black resident and the junior varsity baskettball coach for Granite Hills High School.

"I didn't know what to expect coming to Granite Hills," Haynes said. "I heard Granite had a lot of potential.”

Soon after coming to Granite, Haynes got a first hand look at how incredible some of the players really are.

"My expectations were different - let's just say," Haynes said.

Haynes is a young black from Queens, New York. This is his first year coaching any type of team. During Haynes's high school career he played a full three years. Following his high school career, Haynes also played at in San Francisco City, Colorado State, and at Porterville College.

"I don't think Black History Month is exposed enough to me," said Haynes. "It could be exposed more on television, radio, and in school.

Haynes didn't get always have things easy in life. He worked very hard throughout his life to reach many of his goals. Haynes has played with many great athletes and played basketball on national television. Whether the athletes were Caucasian, Hispanic, or black, never really mattered to Haynes. All were the same in his eyes.

"I have been playing ball for years," said Haynes. "It just depends on what type of athlete you really are inside. Not whether you are African American or whatever."

And as for a role model? Haynes could pick no one better than his own grandmother. A grandmother who has raised 10 wonderful children.

As a kid growing up in the projects in New York, Haynes loved the game of basketball. He was usually always doing something associated with the game. The game of basketball was always important to him, but education came before anything.

"Well, I got recruited to go to San Francisco city in 2001," Haynes proclaimed. "I always wanted to come to California. I thought it was all beaches and what not, but it was really different."

Haynes has lived in California for the last six years. He has enjoyed everyday with his family.

"Yeah, I grew up in the projects and I am the first male in my family to graduate," proclaimed Haynes. "There were a lot of stereotypes when I was growing up basically."

Haynes now has three children altogether, two boys and one girl. He is also engaged and plans on getting married sometime in the future to his fiancé, who works at Porterville College. The couple is also expecting twins.

"He is one of the best coaches I have had," former Granite Hills' junior varsity basketball player Gabriel Malendrine said. "He showed me a lot about the game on basketball this year. I am really glad I had the opportunity to meet him."

The boys put up a good battle this season and finished with an overall record of 5-17.
"I have a family now and I am still trying to accomplish many things in my life," said Haynes.

Haynes continues to go to school and is working on earning his masters.