After graduating from Henderson State University, Hays accepted an assistant football position at DeWitt from 1950 to-1954. In July 1954 he became the athletic director-head football coach at Ashdown and remained in that position until his retirement in 1980.
He grew fond of sports while serving in the Navy. His GI Bill provided him with the resources to attend college and allowed him to become involved in varsity sports while at Henderson State.
During his coaching career, Hays won six conference football titles and produced a record of 165-102-8. In 1963 Hays was named the head coach for the AHSCA West All-Star team. He was twice selected as the Football Coach of the Year. In 1970 he was selected as Four State Area Football Coach of the Year.
Hays served as president of the Arkansas High School Coaches Association in 1970 after serving as vice-present from 1967 to 1969.
During that span the Ashdown athletic program won a boys state track championship (1964), a volleyball state championship (1978), girls' state basketball championships (1957, 1968, 1969, 1970), three girls' state basketball runner-up positions, six girls' basketball semifinal positions and four girls' basketball state sportsmanship trophies.
In 1991 the Ashdown School Board renamed the football stadium The Dick Hays Stadium.
Hays worked tirelessly to maintain, build and find funding for constant improvements to the Ashdown athletic department, which included a new track and practice field and a new field house. When the Ashdown gymnasium burned, it was Hays' responsibility to design and construct a new structure.
Dick and his wife Pauline have three children - Jimmie Hays, Kay Hays and Rex Hays.