Ex-MSU Star Kristin Haynie Leads CMU Women's Hoops Resurgence

In just three years, Haynie has guided the Chippewas from 6 wins to 18, earning a MAC tournament berth.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Kristin Haynie, a former star player at Michigan State, has quickly turned around the Central Michigan women's basketball program in her three seasons as head coach. After winning just 6 games in her first year, the Chippewas have improved to 14 and then 18 wins this season, earning a spot in the Mid-American Conference tournament. Haynie's emphasis on defense has been a key factor in the team's rise, as they've climbed from last in the MAC in points allowed to now ranking fifth in the conference.

Why it matters

Haynie's success at CMU is noteworthy given her program's status as the only one from Michigan, men's or women's, to qualify for the MAC tournament this year. The Chippewas are looking to defend the honor of the state and prove they are the top team from Michigan in the conference.

The details

In Haynie's first season as head coach in 2023-24, CMU ranked last in the MAC in points allowed, but they've steadily improved to 7th and now 5th in the conference in that category this year. The Chippewas will open the MAC tournament as the #4 seed, taking on #5 seed Ohio in a rematch of their overtime game earlier this season that saw CMU allow a season-high 85 points. Sophomore guard Madi Morson leads the team in scoring at 20 points per game and steals, while sophomore forward Ayanna-Sarai Darrington averages 14.7 points.

  • Haynie was hired as CMU's head coach in 2023.
  • In her first season in 2023-24, CMU won just 6 games.
  • In 2024-25, the Chippewas improved to 14 wins.
  • This season, CMU has 18 wins and earned a #4 seed in the MAC tournament.
  • The MAC tournament quarterfinal game against Ohio is on Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

The players

Kristin Haynie

The head coach of the Central Michigan women's basketball team, who is in her third season leading the program. Haynie was previously an assistant coach at Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, and Michigan State from 2012-2023.

Madi Morson

A sophomore guard for Central Michigan who is the reigning MAC Freshman of the Year and a candidate for Player of the Year this season, averaging a conference-best 20 points per game.

Ayanna-Sarai Darrington

A sophomore forward for Central Michigan who averages 14.7 points per game.

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What they’re saying

“You just want to keep getting better. I would like us to anticipate more ... and cause more havoc.”

— Kristin Haynie, Head Coach, Central Michigan (Yahoo Sports)

“We want to be the state team from Michigan in the MAC, and we were super happy to be able to do that. We're very fortunate to be in the spot we want to be in.”

— Kristin Haynie, Head Coach, Central Michigan (Yahoo Sports)

What’s next

The winner of Wednesday's quarterfinal game between Central Michigan and Ohio will advance to face either #1 seed Miami (Ohio) or #8 seed Kent State in the MAC semifinals on Friday.

The takeaway

Kristin Haynie's rapid turnaround of the Central Michigan women's basketball program, from just 6 wins in her first season to 18 this year and a MAC tournament berth, demonstrates her coaching acumen and the team's potential. The Chippewas' defensive improvement has been a key factor, and they now have the opportunity to prove they are the top team from Michigan in the conference tournament.