Talladega College has named Andre Payne as the new athletic director. Payne has served as the head women’s basketball coach since August 2024 and will continue to coach the team.
“I am thrilled to welcome Coach Andre Payne back as our 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,” said Talladega’s president-select, Dr. Willie L. Todd Jr. “He is highly respected, not only by his fellow coaches, but also by the entire college community. I am confident that under his leadership, athletics will continue to thrive.”
“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. One of my main goals is to ensure that our student-athletes will grow holistically by developing them academically, athletically, professionally, and socially.”
Payne's journey began as an assistant coach at Texas College where he quickly became one of the youngest head coaches at a four-year institution as well as the interim athletic director. Payne moved on to Wiley College (now Wiley University) where he stepped into the dual role of director of athletics and head men's basketball coach, and ended a 34-year NAIA Tournament drought for the Wildcats. At Mississippi Valley State University, Payne showed his administrative prowess by raising over $3 million dollars for the athletic department.
An Auburn, Alabama native, Payne holds a master's degree in human performance and sports from New Mexico Highlands University and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Alabama A&M University.
