After leading Santa Clara University to their first winning season since 2008, JR Payne will now be coming to Boulder, Colorado, where she will be the eighth head women’s basketball coach in the University of Colorado’s history.
“There was a lot of interest in the position, which confirmed this is viewed as one of the top coaching jobs in women’s basketball,” George said on Monday. “After interviewing JR and hearing from several coaches that have worked with her, she rose to the top and we’re excited to name her as our head coach.”
Payne, 38, has signed a five-year contract, replacing Linda Lappe, who stepped down after six seasons as the Buffaloes head coach.
“I am thrilled and honored to be the next women’s basketball coach at the University of Colorado,” Payne said. “There is such a rich tradition within the women’s basketball program that I cannot wait to immerse myself in. CU is unique in the landscape of college basketball in that it combines a world class education with world class athletics. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to be here in Boulder and cannot wait to get started.”
Payne’s Santa Clara Broncos went 23-9 last season, tying for third in the West Coast Conference. Their season ended with a 59-53 loss in the Women’s NIT to Fresno State. Their landmark victory, though, came in a 61-58 win over 13th-ranked Stanford, their first win against the Cardinal in 32 years.
Payne began her coaching career at Southern Utah University, where she went 67-86 in five seasons with the Thunderbirds; her 23-10 record in 2013-14 set a school record and earned the university a share of the Big Sky Conference’s regular season title.
That season, Southern Utah advanced to the NIT for the first time in program history, where they beat Colorado State 71-56; the next round, they fell to Colorado 79-68.
Payne will be announced as the Buffaloes head coach on Monday.
