2× MEAC Coach of the Year (1991, 1999) North Carolina Central University Athletic Hall of Fame Winston-Salem State University Clarence Athletic Hall of Fame North Carolina A&T State University Sports Hall of Fame CIAA Hall of Fame
Hayes started his coaching career as a running backs coach on the coaching staff at Wake Forest University, from 1973 to 1975, making him one of the first African-American coaches in the Atlantic Coast Conference. At the Division II level at Winston-Salem State, the Rams under Hayes won three Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) titles, and made two Division II playoff appearances, in 1978 and 1987. At North Carolina A&T on the Division I-AA level, the Aggies under Hayes won three Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) titles and made two Division I-AA playoff appearances, in 1992 and 1999. The Aggies also appeared in the now defunct post-season HBCU bowl game, the Heritage Bowl in 1991.