Talladega College

Entering his first season as Head Coach of the Tornado Women’s Basketball team, Andrew Payne is an Auburn, Alabama native. He attended Alabama A&M and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. Payne began his coaching career as an assistant at Texas College for three seasons before being promoted to the head position prior to the 2001-02 season. He accumulated a 62-60 overall mark while going 50-34 during five seasons at the helm. He guided the program to seven trips to the Red River Athletic Conference Tournament and led the squad to its first-ever appearance in the Conference Championship Game during his tenure.

Payne later transitioned to becoming both the director of athletics and head men's basketball coach at Wiley College. While at Wiley, he turned in an overall record of 146-104 (89-69 in conference) while leading the Wildcats to the NAIA Tournament in his first campaign (2006-07), ending a 34-year tournament drought. Payne 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. Payne was listed among the NAIA's Top-25 Active Wins Leaders at the conclusion of the 2012 season. 

Payne spent five seasons as the men's head coach at Mississippi Valley State after his stint at Wiley College. At MVSU, he coached two All-SWAC performers, made four trips to the SWAC Tournament including a semifinals appearance in 2016 and was named Mississippi Valley State University's Coach of the Year. Coach Payne transitioned to women’s basketball when he was added to the Alcorn State University women's basketball staff as assistant coach in July 2019. In August 2024, Talladega College announced Payne’s appointment as Head Coach of its women’s basketball team.