Craig J. Payne is in his eighth year as Alabama State’s director of football operations.
Payne continues to fulfill a vital role by managing all administrative aspects of the program. Among his responsibilities are team travel, player and guest tickets and game day itineraries. Payne also schedules official visits during the recruiting process.
Payne is the internal liaison to the university campus, working in conjunction with the compliance office, the office of sports information and other entities.
Payne began his career as the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at his alma mater, Fort Valley State. Payne later moved to Alabama A&M where he assumed the same duties. After a stint as the wide receivers coach at Tuskegee, Payne was named the assistant head coach at Savannah State. Payne also coached one year while teaching at Lanier High School (Montgomery).
Payne earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Fort Valley State and is a Lifetime Alumnus of FVSU. He also is a member of the American Football Coaches Association.
A member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Payne and his wife, Claire, have two daughters, Cari and Angel.
