Randall (Randy) Duane Ayers (born April 16, 1958) is an American former college basketball player and former assistant coach of the Washington Wizards. He has also coached in the National Basketball Association (NBA). 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, 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. As head coach, he compiled a 21-31 record, but did not return for the following 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.^[1]

Ayers married Carol Denise Peery of Columbus, Ohio on 18 June 1983. They have two sons: Ryan Vincent (b. 16 July 1986, who is a student at the University of Notre Dame and member of the Fighting Irish basketball team) and Cameron Alexander (b. 18 September 1991).

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Randy Ayers profile on NBA.com
• Miami University
• BasketballReference.com: Randy Ayers
• Named 76ers coach
• Named Wizards coach