DETROIT (7/30/13) – The University of Detroit Mercy men's basketball coaching staff is now complete as head coach Ray McCallum announced the hiring of Steve Payne as an assistant coach on Tuesday (July 30).

"Steve is a hard, tireless worker that I got to see first hand everyday while coaching at Ball State," said coach McCallum. "He was one of the hardest workers I've ever coached during my 30 years. He was a dedicated player who served as a team leader and captain, before taking that commitment and hard work with him for a successful pro career as both a player and coach." 

Payne spent the last three seasons at Utah Valley University as an assistant coach, where he helped guide the Wolverines to back-to-back Great West Conference regular season titles, as well as a the programs first 20-win season (2012) since 2006-07. The Wolverines also recorded the programs longest win streak at 13-straight games in 2012, which at the time stood as the third longest in the nation.

Before joining UVU, Payne spent time overseas as a player and coach. He spent the 2007-08 basketball season in Nyon, Switzerland and the 2008-09 in Geneva, Switzerland and served as both a player/coach both years.

Payne had a successful playing career, under coach McCallum at Ball State University, where he was a three-time All-Mid American Conference selection and twice helped the Cardinals to MAC regular season and tournament championships and berths in the NCAA Tournament.

He also earned conference tournament MVP honors and was named the Chevrolet Player of the Game two times each during his career.

Payne graduated from Ball State with a Bachelor of Arts degree with minors in Criminal Justice and Psychology. He and his wife Carolina have two daughters, Tatiana and Stephanie.