Emily Hays joined the Valpo women's basketball program as an assistant coach in May 2021 and enters her third season on staff in 2023-24.

The 2022-23 season saw Valpo earn the first win in program history over perennial MVC power Missouri State. The Beacons also won three consecutive road games in Valley play, the first time the program accomplished that feat against three different opponents since 2007.

In her first season on campus, Hays helped lead Valpo to a 9-9 mark in MVC play and a sixth-place finish in the conference standings, both of which match the program's bests since joining the Valley. The Beacons registered the first win at Drake and the first win at Bradley in program history. Valpo swept the season series over Drake, the program's first two wins ever against the Bulldogs. The Beacons also tallied four top-100 wins within Valley play.

Hays arrived at Valpo after spending the last seven years as a head coach, including the last four at Dickinson College. Under Hays’ guidance, Dickinson posted improved records in each of her three seasons, culminating with a 16-win campaign in 2019-20 which saw the Red Devils advance to the conference tournament semifinals. Dickinson did not compete in the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In her three seasons, Hays coached four Red Devils players to a total of five All-Conference accolades, including a trio of honorees following the 2019-20 season. Kate Deutsch was named Centennial Conference Rookie of the Year and D3Hoops.com Mid-Atlantic Rookie of the Year for 2018-19 as well.

Prior to arriving at Dickinson, Hays served as head coach at Hiram College for three seasons. She led the Terriers to a school-record 17 wins in 2016-17 in her final season at the helm and saw the team surpass the program record for conference victories in each of her final two years.

Hays started her coaching career at her alma mater, Washington & Jefferson College, where she spent four seasons as an assistant coach. She helped guide the Presidents to consecutive 20-win campaigns in her final two years on staff in 2012-13 and 2013-14.

A 2009 graduate of Washington & Jefferson College, Hays was a three-time All-Conference selection on the hardwood and was Presidents Athletic Conference Player of the Year and a First Team All-Region honoree as a senior. During her playing career, the Presidents earned 89 victories and were ranked in the nation’s top-25 in three of her four seasons.