The College of Alameda’s (CoA’s) newest addition to its coaching team was met with flashing cameras and a crowd of journalists at a press conference Thursday.
NBA Hall of Famer Gary Payton introduced himself as the college’s new men’s basketball coach, and explained his reasons for joining Peralta.
“I’m coming here to give back,” Payton said, recalling his Bay Area roots.
The Citizen was the first news outlet to report on Payton’s hiring earlier this month.
CoA Athletic Director Ramaundo Vaughn shared that Payton’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, had initially contacted him looking to work with Laney College, which does not have a men’s basketball program.
According to Vaughn, Laney Athletic Director John Beam was the one to suggest that Payton take the role as head coach for the CoA Cougars.
“I was so excited by the possibilities of […] Gary Payton coaching at College of Alameda,” Vaughn said. “It seemed like a long shot […] but Gary genuinely wanted to give back, he genuinely wanted to serve the community.”
Payton made a point to emphasize his tough coaching style, his confidence in turning the men’s team into “a winning program,” and his hopes that the student athletes will succeed beyond the game.
“I don’t want my kids to come in here and just think about basketball, because all of them are not going to be basketball pros,” Payton said.
He continued by talking about the importance of the student athletes developing as people while taking advantage of various student services at CoA, like work opportunities.
“My main focus is to help them become men. Grown men,” Payton said.
In April, USA Today reported on Payton’s charged coaching exit from Oakland’s Lincoln University, in which he expressed frustration with the program’s funding and leadership. In response, Lincoln University president Mikhail Brodsky told USA Today that he feels Payton should have accepted responsibility for some of the financial issues.
The Citizen asked Payton what his expectations of PCCD’s facilities and finances were, and if he expected things to be different than his last coaching position.
“Well, I don’t want to talk about that,” Payton responded.
“That has nothing to do with this press conference here,” he continued. “We’re talking about the College of Alameda, the College of Alameda is a lot different. It’s a different job. And I’ve told you this administration here has got my back.”
The Citizen contacted Goodwin, Payton’s agent, via text message for more specifics on Payton’s time at Lincoln University and his expectations of PCCD. Goodwin did not respond by publication time.
Payton will serve as adjunct faculty. As previously reported by The Citizen, adjuncts are paid for classes they teach at an hourly rate, but certain athletic coaches are paid by stipend.
Johnson, PCCD’s communications director, could not confirm what Payton’s pay will be at this time.
The Cougars will play the first game of their season against Skyline College, according to the California Community College Athletic Association’s 2024-2025 men’s basketball schedule.
