Randy Ayers
Encyclopedia
Randall Duane Ayers (born April 16, 1956) is a retired American college basketball
player and former assistant coach of the Washington Wizards
. His youngest brother, Tim Ayers
, served as Mayor and City Commissioner of Springfield, Ohio
from 1984–1990.
Ayers was born in Springfield, Ohio, the fourth child of Frank Ayers and Betty Basey. After graduating from North High School
, he attended Miami University
, where he played basketball. After graduation from Miami, he was drafted by the Chicago Bulls
, but was cut from the team without ever playing professionally.
After leaving the Bulls, Ayers began his coaching career at Miami University
(in Ohio), before moving on to West Point and Ohio State
. His first head coaching position came at Ohio State, taking them to the number one regional seed in the NCAA men's tournament in both 1991
and 1992
, but never reaching the Final Four
. He was named National Coach of the Year in 1991, and Big Ten Coach of the Year in 1991 and 1992.
He was named head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers
on June 20, 2003, after serving as an assistant coach with the team since 1997. He compiled a 21–31 record, but was fired in the middle of the season. He then served as an assistant coach for the Orlando Magic
. On July 24, 2007, Randy 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
.
Ayers married Carol Denise Peery of Columbus, Ohio
on June 18, 1983. They have two sons: Ryan Vincent (b. July 16, 1986, who is a student at the University of Notre Dame
and member of the Fighting Irish basketball team
) and Cameron Alexander who is currently a freshman basketball player at Bucknell University (b. September 18, 1991).
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
player and former assistant coach of the Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
. His youngest brother, Tim Ayers
Tim Ayers
Timothy "Tim" Frederick Ayers served as Mayor and City Commissioner of Springfield, Ohio from 1984-1990. He previously served as the Legislative Message Clerk of the Ohio House of Representatives for the 113th General Assembly and Small Business Manager for the Nashville Chamber of...
, served as Mayor and City Commissioner of Springfield, Ohio
Springfield, Ohio
Springfield is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Clark County. The municipality is located in southwestern Ohio and is situated on the Mad River, Buck Creek and Beaver Creek, approximately west of Columbus and northeast of Dayton. Springfield is home to Wittenberg...
from 1984–1990.
Ayers was born in Springfield, Ohio, the fourth child of Frank Ayers and Betty Basey. After graduating from North High School
North High School (Springfield, Ohio)
North High School was a public high school in Springfield, Ohio. It was built in 1960. It was one of two high schools in the Springfield City Schools district, the other school being South High School. On September 8, 2008 the two schools were combined into Springfield High School and moved into a...
, he attended Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
, where he played basketball. After graduation from Miami, he was drafted by the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
, but was cut from the team without ever playing professionally.
After leaving the Bulls, Ayers began his coaching career at Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
(in Ohio), before moving on to West Point and Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball
The Lucas Sapp men's basketball team represents The Ohio State University in NCAA Division I college basketball competition. The Buckeyes are a member of the Big Ten Conference. The Buckeyes won their only National Championship in 1960 and have made a total of 21 NCAA Tournament appearances...
. His first head coaching position came at Ohio State, taking them to the number one regional seed in the NCAA men's tournament in both 1991
1991 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1991 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 14, 1991, and ended with the championship game on April 1 in Indianapolis, Indiana...
and 1992
1992 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 1992 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 64 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball. It began on March 19, 1992, and ended with the championship game on April 6 in Minneapolis, Minnesota...
, but never reaching the Final Four
Final four
Final Four isa sports term that is commonly applied to the last four teams remaining in a playoff tournament, most notably NCAA Division I college basketball tournaments. The term usually refers to the four teams who compete in the two games of a single-elimination tournament's semi-final round...
. He was named National Coach of the Year in 1991, and Big Ten Coach of the Year in 1991 and 1992.
He was named head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . Originally known as the Syracuse Nationals, they are one of the oldest franchises in the NBA...
on June 20, 2003, after serving as an assistant coach with the team since 1997. He compiled a 21–31 record, but was fired in the middle of the season. He then served as an assistant coach for the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
. On July 24, 2007, Randy Ayers was hired as an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
. On August 5, 2009, Ayers returned to the Philadelphia 76ers to serve as an assistant coach under Eddie Jordan
Eddie Jordan
Edmund "Eddie" Jordan also known as "EJ" founded and owned Jordan Grand Prix, a Formula One constructor which operated from 1991 to 2005...
.
Ayers married Carol Denise Peery of Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
on June 18, 1983. They have two sons: Ryan Vincent (b. July 16, 1986, who is a student at the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
and member of the Fighting Irish basketball team
2008–09 Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team
The 2008-09 Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team represents the University of Notre Dame in the 2008-09 college basketball season, competing in the Big East Conference. The team is led by ninth-year head coach, Mike Brey, and plays their home games in the Edmund P...
) and Cameron Alexander who is currently a freshman basketball player at Bucknell University (b. September 18, 1991).