Payne was the fourth head college football coach at Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas, and he held that position for two seasons, from 1922 until 1923.[3][4] During his time at Abilene Christian, Sam Cox of Ozona, Texas, sent him a young wildcat named Bob Thomas to serve as a live athletics mascot for the college.[5]
Payne's coaching record at Abilene Christian was 12–3.[6]
Payne served as an assistant coach during the 1927 and 1928 seasons under Texas Tech head coach Ewing Y. Freeland.[8]
Basketball
Texas Tech
Payne coached the Texas Tech Matadors (now known as the Red Raiders) from 1927 to 1930.[9] During the first season, the team won ten games and lost six. The following season, the record was slightly worse at 9–8. During his final season, the team improved to 13–6.[10] Payne's overall record at Texas Tech stands at 32 wins and 20 losses.[11]
Later life
In 1949, he was working for the Abilene Savings and Loan Company.[12]
^Hadfield, Ron; Michelle Morris; Tom and Betsey Craig; Garner Roberts. "Traditions!". ACU Today. Archived from the original on January 3, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2008.