Andre Payne: A Career Dedicated to Elevating HBCU Athletics at Talladega College and Beyond
Andre Payne's career reflects a deep commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and a proven track record of success in athletic leadership and basketball coaching. From his early days as a young head coach to his current roles as Athletic Director and Head Women's Basketball Coach at Talladega College, Payne has consistently demonstrated his ability to revitalize programs, foster winning cultures, and empower student-athletes.
Early Coaching Career and Rise to Leadership
Payne's journey in athletics began as an assistant coach at Texas College in 1999. His talent and dedication quickly propelled him to the position of head coach in 2001, making him one of the youngest head coaches at a four-year institution. During his five seasons at Texas College, Payne accumulated 62 wins and led the program to its first-ever appearance in the Red River Athletic Conference Championship game in 2005. His record at Texas College was 82-76 over five years.
In 2006, Payne transitioned to Wiley College (now Wiley University), where he took on the dual role of Director of Athletics and Head Men's Basketball Coach. During his tenure at Wiley, Payne led the team to a 146-104 record and their first NAIA Tournament berth in 34 years. He guided his teams to three 20-win seasons, two Red River Athletic Conference Tournament Championships and accumulated a .500 or better record in six of his eight seasons. Earlier in his career, Hartsfield helped Wiley College (now Wiley University) achieve a 7th place ranking in the NAIA national men’s basketball polls, the highest in program history.
Mississippi Valley State University and Transition to Women's Basketball
In 2014, Payne accepted the Head Men's Basketball Coach position at Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU), an HBCU competing at the NCAA Division I level. During his five years at MVSU, Payne coached two All-SWAC performers and led the team to four appearances in the SWAC Tournament, including a semifinals appearance in 2016. He was also named Mississippi Valley State University's Coach of the Year. Furthermore, Payne demonstrated his ability to generate resources for athletic programs, raising over $3 million for the athletic department.
Transitioning to women's basketball in 2019, Payne joined Alcorn State University as an assistant coach. His impact was immediate, as he helped the Lady Braves significantly improve their performance, increasing their season wins from four to fourteen. Notably, he helped the Braves lead all of Division I in forced turnovers per game, total forced turnovers, steals per game, and total steals in 2019-2020. He also established the team as one of the top defensive teams in NCAA Division I.
Read also: Drummond's Career Highlights
Return to Talladega College: A Dual Role
Talladega College welcomed Andre Payne back to its campus, appointing him as both the Athletic Director and the Head Women's Basketball Coach. Payne had previously served as the head women’s basketball coach at Talladega College during the 2024-2025 season, leading the Tornadoes to a 10-win season. This dual role allows Payne to leverage his extensive experience and vision to elevate the entire athletic program while directly impacting the Lady Tornadoes basketball team. Talladega’s Lady Tornadoes hope to benefit from Payne's extensive experience and strategic coaching approach. The team struggled with a 6-9 conference record last season and suffered a decisive loss to Fisk University in the GCAC tournament, suggesting that Payne's appointment may bring the fresh perspective needed for a turnaround.
Talladega’s president-select, Dr. Willie L. Todd Jr said, “I am thrilled to welcome Coach Andre Payne back as head women’s basketball coach and new athletic director. Having worked alongside Coach Payne at a previous institution where he served as athletic director, I can attest to his professionalism, extensive experience, and forward-thinking approach,”. He is highly respected, not only by his fellow coaches, but also by the entire college community.
Payne expressed his enthusiasm about returning to Talladega College. “I am thankful and excited about returning to Talladega College. My previous experience at Dega was truly special,” said Payne. “I am looking forward to working alongside the great coaching staff that’s already in place. It is a great opportunity to reunite with Dr. Todd who truly understands the importance of athletics on an HBCU campus.
Payne's appointment as Athletic Director was followed by the hiring of Jameus Hartsfield as the new head coach of the Tornadoes’ men’s basketball program. Hartsfield most recently served as the interim men’s basketball head coach at Texas College. “I am extremely excited to welcome Coach Jameus Hartsfield to the Dega family. He is very familiar with NAIA basketball as a player, assistant coach, and head coach. He has been a proven winner at all three levels,” said Payne. “As a player he dominated on the court, as an assistant he was a premier recruiter and most importantly he has been a winner as a head coach. Coach Hartsfield not only brings basketball experience but he has worn several hats in higher education and the private sector.
“I’m truly honored to be named head men’s basketball coach at Talladega College,” said Hartsfield. “This opportunity means the world to me and my family. We are excited to be part of a place that feels like home.
Read also: Andre Ware: The revolutionary QB
Goals for Talladega College Athletics
Payne's primary goal is to restore the winning tradition of the Talladega College women's basketball program. The team's last winning season was in the 2021-2022 school year where the Lady Tornadoes finished with a 21-12 overall record and a respectable 10-7 conference record. “My primary goal is to re-establish the winning tradition of recent years of Talladega College women’s basketball,” Payne said.
He recognizes the importance of academics and emphasizes that student-athletes should not lose focus on their studies. Payne also aims to create a unified environment where athletes and staff work together towards shared goals, emphasizing hard work and determination. "I see the program going in the direction of building back the winning tradition, and in order to build back the winning tradition, I have to put the athletes and staff in places where we can be on one accord and for us to understand it will take a lot of hard work and determination. However, I don't want the young ladies to lose focus on their academics.
Allen University
Following a national coaching search, Columbia, South Carolina HBCU Allen University announced that Andre Payne would become the new head coach of the school’s men’s basketball program. “I want to thank President Dr. McNealey and AD Wallace for this great opportunity,” said Payne. “We are excited about moving the program forward. “I congratulate AD Wallace on his search and ultimate selection of Andre Payne as the next men’s basketball coach at Allen University,” President Dr. Ernest McNealey said. From 2020 to 2023, he served as the Director of Athletics and head men’s basketball coach at Denmark Technical College in Denmark, South Carolina. In his administrative role, Payne implemented seven sports in a two-year span, started the school’s first Athletic Hall of Fame, oversaw a $300,000 gymnasium renovation, created a weight room for the department, and increased the department’s overall winning percentage by 50%.
Personal Life and Education
An Auburn, Alabama native, Payne holds a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Alabama A&M University and a master's degree in Human Performance and Sports from New Mexico Highlands University. Payne is an HBCU graduate of Alabama A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He is married to Nikki Payne, and they have two sons, Andre and Nicholas. Coming back to his home state is something that Payne is looking forward to. "What attracted me to the head coach position was being able to come back home to the state of Alabama.
Read also: Howard Payne Football History
tags: #Andre #Payne #Talladega #College #athletic #director
