Hayes-watch over at UGA, hoops assistant leaving

            Conventional wisdom was that Jonas Hayes was a must-keep for new UGA men's basketball coach Tom Crean, Hayes having become a high-level recruiter.

            But Hayes, a former UGA basketball standout, is headed for Xavier, as per an announcement Monday afternoon.

            Crean offered Hayes a job, and there were multiple reports last week that incorrectly had Hayes taking it.

            “We would have loved for him to stay, but we totally understand his desire to start a new chapter in his career at Xavier,” Crean said in a statement. “Jonas leaves with our respect and thanks for all that he has done for UGA. He's got an excellent future, and he will always be a part of this university and basketball family.”

            Crean’s first hire was Chad Dollar, who has coached at Gardner-Webb (volunteer and grad assistant), Southern Miss, Western Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, Georgia Southern, Murray State, LSU, Arkansas State, Wichita State, Georgia Tech, and Auburn.

            Xavier hired Travis Steele to replace Louisville-bound Chris Mack. Steele and Hayes have no apparent connections, Steele’s life and career being n the Midwest. He grew up in Indiana, graduated from Butler, and has only coached in that region. He started at Xavier in 2008.

            Hayes has spent 10 seasons with Georgia, as a player and coach. He was a three-year letterwinner from 2001-04, and joined Mark Fox’s staff in 2013.