JR Payne

Biography

• 10th year as CU head coach, 17th season overall as a head coach • 164-116 (.586) record at CU • Career record of 265-229 (.536) • Record since 2020-21- 104-52 (.667) • Earned the No. 5 seed in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, marking CU’s third straight appearance • Women’s NIT appearance in 2014 at Southern Utah, 2016 at Santa Clara and 2017 and 2021 at Colorado • Women’s BIT No. 1 seed and host in 2025 • Has coached three All-Americans, three conference players of the year, 45 all-conference players and 45 all-academic team members as an assistant and head coach • Has been a part of three NCAA Tournament team (2007 as assistant at Boise State, 2022, 2023 at CU) and seven Women’s NIT teams as an assistant and head coach At Colorado • Named the eighth head coach in CU history on March 28, 2016 • Had contract extended in the spring of 2023 • Replaced Linda Lappe, who was at CU for five seasons • Had career win No. 100 at CU against Western Michigan (Nov. 30, 2021) and career win No. 200 overall against Chicago State (Nov. 27, 2022) • Coached five players who’ve earned postseason awards from the Pac-12, including Kennedy Leonard (2017-18), Mya Hollingshed (2021-22), Quay Miller (2022-23), Jaylyn Sherrod (2022-23, 23-24) and Aaronette Vonley (2023-24). • In 2021-22, led CU to its first 20 win season since 2012-13 and its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017 • Upset No. 1 Stanford 77-72 in overtime, claiming CU’s first win over a No. 1 opponent in school history (1/17/21) • Ope

Career Path