Colorado University Athletics
CU Boulder Extends Women’s Head Basketball Coach JR Payne’s Contract Through 2031
March 04, 2026 | Women's Basketball
BOULDER, Colo- With the University of Colorado women's basketball team having won 20 games, including three against ranked opponents, and ready to make a run in the Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament in Kansas City, the university has extended head coach JR Payne's contract through the 2031 season, Director of Athletics Fernando Lovo announced today after unanimous vote by the CU Board of Regents.
Payne, who is currently in her 10th season at the helm of the Buffaloes, is the second-longest tenured coach in program history, behind only the iconic Ceal Barry, and whose 184 wins in Boulder, and counting, also ranks second only to Barry. Under Payne, Colorado has won at least 20 games for five years straight dating back to 2021-22, a streak that is only surpassed by Barry's run of six 20-plus win seasons from 1991-92 to 1996-97. The Buffs under Payne have also reached the post-season in each of the last five seasons and are poised to make it a sixth this month.
"Coach Payne has been the model of consistently sustained excellence here at Colorado, and I'm thrilled that she will be leading our program for years to come," said Lovo. "Coach Payne's teams embody her personality of grit, resilience, toughness, and integrity, but this extension is also emblematic of her role as a tremendous leader and mentor for our student-athletes."
"I am deeply honored and humbled to sign a new contract to remain the head women's basketball coach at the University of Colorado," said Payne. "I am incredibly grateful to Chancellor Schwartz, the Board of Regents, as well as Fernando Lovo and Rick George for their trust, belief, and continued support of our program. CU is a truly special place, and I'm proud of what we have been able to accomplish together—both on the court and in the classroom. Our student-athletes continue to represent this university with excellence, character, and pride. I'm excited for what lies ahead and look forward to continuing to build something meaningful for our program, our university, and the Boulder community."
In 2022-23 and 2023-24, Payne led the Buffaloes to back-to-back NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen Appearances, part of a stretch of three seasons in which Colorado made the Big Dance. A number of impressive players have also honed their craft under Payne's tutelage, including Kennedy Leonard, Frida Formann, Mya Hollingshed, and Jaylyn Sherrod, who became the first Buff to win an WNBA title in 2024 as a member of the New York Liberty.
The Buffaloes under Payne have also excelled in the classroom, recording 13 straight semesters with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, including a 3.427 mark in 2024, which was a program record.
"Coach Payne has built a program that is focused on success not only on the court but in the classroom and community — developing student-athletes who excel in their sport and in life beyond athletics," said Chancellor Justin Schwartz. "Her commitment to shaping outstanding individuals is remarkable, and I am so pleased she will continue to lead our Buffs in the years ahead."
Colorado begins play in the Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, in a second-round matchup against either Kansas or UCF. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Payne, who is currently in her 10th season at the helm of the Buffaloes, is the second-longest tenured coach in program history, behind only the iconic Ceal Barry, and whose 184 wins in Boulder, and counting, also ranks second only to Barry. Under Payne, Colorado has won at least 20 games for five years straight dating back to 2021-22, a streak that is only surpassed by Barry's run of six 20-plus win seasons from 1991-92 to 1996-97. The Buffs under Payne have also reached the post-season in each of the last five seasons and are poised to make it a sixth this month.
"Coach Payne has been the model of consistently sustained excellence here at Colorado, and I'm thrilled that she will be leading our program for years to come," said Lovo. "Coach Payne's teams embody her personality of grit, resilience, toughness, and integrity, but this extension is also emblematic of her role as a tremendous leader and mentor for our student-athletes."
"I am deeply honored and humbled to sign a new contract to remain the head women's basketball coach at the University of Colorado," said Payne. "I am incredibly grateful to Chancellor Schwartz, the Board of Regents, as well as Fernando Lovo and Rick George for their trust, belief, and continued support of our program. CU is a truly special place, and I'm proud of what we have been able to accomplish together—both on the court and in the classroom. Our student-athletes continue to represent this university with excellence, character, and pride. I'm excited for what lies ahead and look forward to continuing to build something meaningful for our program, our university, and the Boulder community."
In 2022-23 and 2023-24, Payne led the Buffaloes to back-to-back NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen Appearances, part of a stretch of three seasons in which Colorado made the Big Dance. A number of impressive players have also honed their craft under Payne's tutelage, including Kennedy Leonard, Frida Formann, Mya Hollingshed, and Jaylyn Sherrod, who became the first Buff to win an WNBA title in 2024 as a member of the New York Liberty.
The Buffaloes under Payne have also excelled in the classroom, recording 13 straight semesters with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, including a 3.427 mark in 2024, which was a program record.
"Coach Payne has built a program that is focused on success not only on the court but in the classroom and community — developing student-athletes who excel in their sport and in life beyond athletics," said Chancellor Justin Schwartz. "Her commitment to shaping outstanding individuals is remarkable, and I am so pleased she will continue to lead our Buffs in the years ahead."
Colorado begins play in the Phillips 66 Big 12 Women's Basketball Tournament on Thursday, March 5, in a second-round matchup against either Kansas or UCF. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. MT, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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