“Coach Mando”, is entering his fourth season in 2025 as the Assistant Sprints Coach for the Pioneers. During his 3rd season, he led the sprints group to one of the best seasons in years with multiple WIAC conference qualifiers, several WIAC podium finishers, numerous additions to the UW-Platteville top ten all-time list, new school records, nationally rank athletes, national qualifiers, and All-Americans.
Prior to joining the Pioneers, Payan spent two years at the University of Mary and worked primarily with sprints, hurdles, jumps, and relays. He coached several conference performers, conference champions, national qualifiers, and All-Americans.
Payan attended Graceland University from 2016-2020 where he competed in Football and Track & Field for the yellow jackets. He collected several accolades during his time, including three all-conference honorable mentions and 11 Indoor/Outdoor Heart of America AC Qualifiers.
He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Movement Science from Graceland University along with a Master of Education in Athletic Administration and Physical Education from the University of Mary.
Education:
Brownsville Porter High School, Brownsville, Texas
· (High School Diploma, 2016)
Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa
· (B.S. Health & Movement Science, 2020)
University of Mary, Bismarck, North Dakota
· (M.Ed. Athletic Administration, 2022)
Payan By-The-Numbers at Platteville:
· 3 NCAA Division III Individual National Qualifiers
· 2 NCAA Division III Women 200m First-Team All-American
· 1 NCAA Division III Men 60m Second-Team All-American
· 6 School Records (Men’s 60m, Women’s 60m, Women's Indoor 200m, Women’s 100m, Women’s Outdoor 200m, Women’s 4x100m Relay)
· 55 UW-Platteville Top 10 All-Time List Additions
· 15 WIAC Championships Placers
· 82 WIAC Championships Qualifiers
· Techniques Magazine Volume 18, February 2025 Number 3
· Techniques Magazine Volume 18, May 2025 Number 4
Payan By-The-Numbers at UMary:
· 2 National Runner Ups (Triple Jump)
· 1 First Team All-American (100m Hurdles)
· 2 Second Team All-American (60m Hurdles)
· 1 Second Team All American (400m)
· 7 NCAA DII National Qualifiers
· 20 NCAA DII Provisional Qualifying Marks
· 1 NSIC Women's Outdoor Team Title
· 1 3rd Place Women's Team Finish
· 5 NSIC Conference Champions
· 3 Conference Runner Ups (Hurdles)
· 32 Top 8 Finishes
Competing Career:
· Graceland University Football (2016)
· Graceland Track & Field (2016-2018)
- 3 HAAC Honorable Mention
- 11 HAAC Conference Qualifier
Coaching History:
· UW-Platteville, 2022-Present
· University of Mary, 2020-2022
Coaching Certifications:
· USTFCCCA Sprint, Hurdle, Relay Specialist Certification
· USTFCCCA Track and Field Technical Certification
· ALTIS Coaching The Short Sprints
· ALTIS Coaching Horizontal Jumps
· ALTIS Coaching Short Hurdles
· ALTIS Stop Dragging Your Toes
· American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED (August 2024)
