Loree Payne

Head Women’s Basketball Coach
Northern Arizona University

UNIVERSITY BIO

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Experience

2017 – Present: Head Coach, Northern Arizona University

2010 – 2017: Head Coach, University of Puget Sound

2007 – 2010: Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator, University of Washington

2004 – 2007: Assistant Coach, University of Portland

2003 – 2004: Assistant Coach, Northwest Nazarene University

1999 – 2003: Player/Team Captain (00-03), University of Washington

Education

Present: University of Puget Sound, Masters, Counseling

2003: University of Washington, Bachelors, Psychology

Personal

Hometown: Havre, MT

Career Highlights

Career Record
219-156 (.584)

20+ Win Seasons (3)
2022-23, 2016-17, 2014-15

Winning Seasons (11)
2022-23, 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20, 2016-17, 2015-16, 2014-15, 2013-14, 2012-13, 2011-12, 2010-11

Power Five Wins (1)
Pac-12

Conference Coach of the Year (3)
2022-23 Big Sky & 2016-17, 2015-16 NWC

Conference Regular Season Championships (2)
2022-23 Big Sky & 2016-17 NWC

NCAA Tournament Berths (2)
2016-17, 2014-15

Other Post-Season Berths (2)
2022-23 WNIT & 2020-21 WBI

Has led Northern Arizona to four consecutive winning seasons for only the second time in program history – rebuilt a program that had not had a winning season during the 10 seasons prior to her arrival (89-206 (.302) overall record during span)

The 2022-23 Big Sky Coach of the Year, led NAU to only the program’s second Big Sky Regular Season Championship (first in 25 seasons), second-most single-season wins (21), and first WNIT berth in program history

In 2022-23, led NAU to the program’s most single-season wins (19) in 16 seasons and second-most Big Sky Conference wins (13) in program history

In 2021-22, led NAU to the program’s most single-season wins (17) in 15 seasons and second-most Big Sky Conference wins (t-12) in program history

In 2020-21, guided NAU to only the second post-season appearance in program history (first in 15 seasons), as well as the first post-season win in program history

In 2019-20, led NAU to the program’s first winning record (16-15) in 13 seasons

NAU’s scoring offense finished ranked 1st in the Big Sky in 2021-22

NAU ranked 20th nationally in 2019-20 and 12th in 2018-19 (first appearance in program history) in the WBCA Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll

As NAU’s Head Coach, has recruited and coached 11 Big Sky All-Conference Team selections, as well as two Newcomers of the Year

From 2010 to 2017, led Puget Sound to a 130-58 (.691) overall record, one Northwest Conference Regular Season Championship, and two NCAA Tournament berths

A two-time Northwest Conference Coach of the Year, guided Puget Sound to the most single-season wins (26) and first outright Northwest Conference Regular Season Championship in program history in 2016-17

Puget Sound’s scoring offense finished nationally ranked 6th in 2016-17 and 20th in 2015-16

A two-time Pac-10 First-Team All-Conference selection at Washington, graduated as the program’s 7th all-time leading scorer (1,675 points) and all-time leading three-point shooter (245)

A three-time Team Captain, helped lead Washington to two 22-win seasons, one Pac-10 Regular Season Championship, and two NCAA Tournament berths (one Elite 8 appearance)

News & Media

4/5/22 – NAU Women’s Basketball Head Coach Loree Payne Signs Five-Year Contract Extension

2/29/20 – Payne’s Positive Coaching Style Paying Big Dividends for NAU Women

Head Coach Record