Andre Payne, Head Coach

Andre Payne, Director of Athletics and Head Men's Basketball Coach, is a native of Auburn, Alabama. Mr. Payne came to Wiley College with several years of coaching experience.  In his first season (2006-2007) at Wiley College, Payne and the Wildcats captured a Red River Athletic Conference Tournament Title (the first title for men's basketball in almost ten years). The Wildcats also qualified for the National Tournament for the first time in 37 years.

Under Andre Payne’s leadership, Wiley College Athletics Department has continued to flourish academically while significantly improving athletically.  The athletics department continues to maintain a higher GPA than the general student-body on campus. Men's basketball was awarded the Champion of Character award in 2007.  Baseball qualified for the regional tournament for the first time since joining the RRAC.  Volleyball has become one of the elite teams of the conference, going from the bottom of the conference to finishing second in the 2007 season.  Women's basketball finished the 2007-2008 season with 29-7 record, qualifying for Nationals for the first time in Wiley's history. 

Payne began his coaching career as the assistant coach for men's basketball at Texas College in 1999.  Two years later in 2001, he accepted the position of head coach, making him the youngest head coach at a college or four- year university.  During his tenure at Texas College, Payne served as the chairperson for the RRAC coaches’ committee. 

Payne graduated from Auburn High School in 1993 and was named the district's MVP.  Coach Payne has a bachelors in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Alabama A & M University and a masters degree in Human Performance & Sports from New Mexico Highland University. Coach Payne is married and has two sons.