Allen Payne enters his third season as an assistant coach for the Elon men's basketball program in 2019-20.
In his second season with the Phoenix, Payne helped lead Elon to its first CAA Tournament Championship game. One of Payne’s primary roles on staff is defensive scouting and game-planning for all of Elon’s opponents. In the 2020-21 season, Elon’s defense made a significant jump statistical jump from the 2019-20 season by cutting its points allowed per game from 71.7 to 65.0, good for first in the CAA and 44th nationally. Elon’s defense also finished the season third in the CAA in opponent field goal percentage (42.8) and three point field goal percentage (31.9) respectively. Additionally, Payne helped guide two student-athletes to All-Conference honors in Hunter McIntosh (2nd Team) and Darius Burford (All-Rookie).
In the 2019-20 season, Payne helped guide the team to a 13-21 overall record with a 7-11 record in conference play. Elon also made its first ever appearance in the CAA Tournament Semifinals following wins against James Madison and William & Mary in the opening two rounds. Payne helped guide Elon's improvement defensively throughout the year, enabling the Phoenix to not only cut its points allowed per game to 71.7 compared to 76.4 a year prior to his arrival but also to a top-4 finish in the CAA in turnovers forced. Additionally, Payne played a key role in helping three Elon student-athletes earn All-CAA honors in Marcus Sheffield (2nd Team), Hunter Woods (All-Rookie) and Hunter McIntosh (Rookie of the Year).
Prior to Elon, Payne was an integral part of a very successful coaching staff at IUP. While at IUP, he helped guide the team to back-to-back PSAC West regular season championships and a PSAC Tournament Championship in 2019. Additionally, he helped coach the Crimson Hawks to a 2019 NCAA tournament appearance, a No. 2 overall final ranking, and the third 30-win season (30-3) in program history.
Payne's additional responsibilities at IUP included recruiting, opponent scouting, player development and administrative duties. His efforts on and off the court didn’t go unnoticed, as he earned a spot on the Under Armour NABC 30 Coaches Under 30 list in 2019.
Prior to IUP, Payne spent two seasons as the graduate assistant for Xavier’s men’s basketball program. In both of his seasons with the Musketeers, Payne assisted the staff in leading Xavier to back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the Elite Eight as an 11th seed in 2017.
A 2014 graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in public administration, Payne was a three-year starter for the Tigers basketball team, and was selected as a team captain in his senior season. Throughout his career, he amassed 734 points and started in 90 of the 113 games he appeared in. After graduating, Payne played one year of pro basketball in the United Kingdom for the Sheffield Sharks.
A native of Cincinnati, Payne was a four-year varsity letterman at Winton Woods High School. Additionally, Payne earned All-State, All-City and Conference Player of the Year honors as a senior.
Payne is married to the former Tyrese Tanner. Tyrese is a former Auburn women’s basketball star that scored over 1,500 points and earned All-SEC honors as a senior. The two have one daughter, Ava, and one son, AJ.
Quoting Head Coach Mike Schrage:
“Allen is someone that was on my radar immediately when I arrived here at Elon. He came highly recommended as both a coach and person from several people in our profession that I truly respect. He is an up and coming coach with a bright future and already has great experience early in his career. I look forward to him being a big part of our program’s success going forward. Please welcome Allen, his wife – Tye, and daughter – Ava – to our program.”
