Talladega hires former SWAC coach to lead women’s basketball team

Talladega College has announced that they have hired former Mississippi Valley State men’s basketball coach Andre Payne as its next head women’s basketball coach.

Payne returns to the sidelines after being let go from Mississippi Valley State following a five-year stint with the team. He finished with an overall record of 31-132 in his five seasons with the Delta Devils.

The Alabama A&M alum returns to the NAIA level, where he previously served as head coach for Texas College and Wiley University’s men’s teams from 2001 to 2014.

He posted a 239-183 record in those 13 seasons including leading Wiley College to two NAIA tournament berths in 2007 and 2014. Wiley’s 25-win season in 2014 set a school record for wins in a season.

Payne joins a Talladega women’s basketball team that is looking for its first winning season since 2022 and its first conference championship since 2020.

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