Russell Payne Joins Cal State Bakersfield | Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners Basketball News

Cal State Bakersfield just landed a basketball powerhouse in Russell Payne, the dynamic assistant coach who helped Cal State East Bay go 33-0 and reach the Elite Eight in 2025-26. With deep roots in Southern California recruiting—from Harvard-Westlake to his own LA Elite Club—Payne brings elite connections and proven success. Former head coach Todd Lee praised his character and family values as the perfect fit for the Roadrunners’ culture. With stops at top LA high schools like West Torrance and Redondo Union, Payne’s versatile coaching experience positions him to elevate both recruiting and player development, signaling CSUB’s serious push to build a championship-caliber program. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: [email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/adf19e0c5f608219