Alan “Al” Hairston has been a highly respected coach, mentor, and advocate for high school basketball in the state of Washington.

Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Hairston was a standout basketball player at Bowling Green State University before joining the NBA’s Seattle Supersonics, where he played from 1968–1970.

Hairston went on to coach at Kent-Meridian High School, Rainier Beach High School, Garfield High School, and O’Dea High School. He is best remembered for his 12-year tenure at Garfield, where he guided the Bulldogs to five WIAA State Championships, earning titles in 1980, 1983, 1986, 1987, and 1991.

His coaching career also extended to the college level. He served as Head Coach at Seattle University for nine years (1990–1999) and later as an Assistant Coach at the University of Washington, helping lead the Huskies to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.

Hairston’s contributions to basketball have been widely recognized. He was inducted into the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2006. He also served as Athletic Director for the Seattle School District for six years and managed the WIAA State Basketball Tournament in various roles, including leadership of both the 3A and 4A championships.