Lamar University Athletics

John Payton became the first African-American coach at Lamar University when Athletics Director J.B. Higgins hired him in May of 1970 to coach offensive backs under then-coach Vernon Glass.

Payton remained as the offensive backs coach at LU until 1982, when he was the assistant head coach to Ken Stephens.

Payton was a highly successful football, basketball and track coach at Woodville’s Scott High School and Beaumont’s Charlton-Pollard High School. He led Scott HS to back-to-back state basketball championships in 1957 and 1958. He guided Charlton-Pollard HS to the 1964 state basketball championship and the 1970 Region III track championship.

An outstanding running back at Prairie View A&M, Payton earned All-America honors in 1954 and 1955, departing as the school’s rushing and scoring leader.
Payton, who taught physical education at Lamar for more than 30 years, is also a highly distinguished high school football and basketball official with the University Interscholastic League (UIL).