Chris Payne is in his third season as an assistant men’s soccer coach at the College of the Holy Cross in 2024. He is heavily involved with all facets of the program, including skill instruction, game preparation and recruiting.
Prior to joining the Crusaders, Payne served as the head men’s soccer coach at Assumption University (2018-2020) and Hiram College (2021). During his time at Assumption, he led the Greyhounds to a 21-15-2 overall record while coaching nine All Northeast-10 Conference selections and four All-East Region honorees. In 2019, Assumption went 13-8-0 overall while winning its first-ever Northeast-10 Conference title and advancing to the NCAA Tournament where it defeated West Chester in the opening round. The Greyhounds also tied the school single-season record for victories, while posting a program-record six game winning streak.
In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Payne spent several years as the director of coaching for the Boston Bolts from 2021-2021. He coached the Boys Elite Clubs National League and United States Soccer Federation Academy teams, in addition to serving as the administrator for the Bolts’ United States Soccer Leagues Second Division team.
Prior to joining the Bolts, Payne was the technical director and director of coaching at Western United FC in Springfield, Mass., from 2010-2012. He served as the head coach of men’s and women’s Super-20 teams while overseeing the staffing, training and scheduling for all boys’ and girls’ teams from under-10 to under-18.
Previously, Payne served as the technical director for the Dallas Texans in Midland, Texas, from 2008-2010. He was also the technical director at West Texas United Soccer Club in Midland, Texas, from 2005-2008.
From 2001-2003, Payne served as the head men’s soccer coach at the University of New Haven. He led the Chargers to an overall record of 19-35-1 during that time, including a 9-9-0 mark in the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Payne began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant at Southern Connecticut State University from 1995-2000. During his time with the Owls, he helped the team win three NCAA Division II national championships in 1995, 1998 and 1999, including a perfect 20-0-0 season in 1999. Southern Connecticut also reached the national semifinals during the 1996 and 1997 seasons, while posting an overall record of 114-9-7 during Payne’s time on the staff.
A 1996 graduate of Southern Connecticut with a bachelor’s degree in recreation and leisure studies, Payne was a standout player for the Owls, notching 23 goals over his four-year career and helping the program to two NCAA Division II national championships and three national championship game appearances.
A member of the United States Soccer Coaches Association, Payne holds United States Soccer Federation B and C Licenses, as well as a National Soccer Coaches Association of America Director of Coaching Diploma.
