Payne, a former Santa Clara assistant who played at West Coast Conference rival St. Mary's, spent the past five seasons coaching Southern Utah -- her team won a school-record 23 games this past season while reaching the postseason for the first time.
Payne replaces Jennifer Mountain, whose contract wasn't renewed after six seasons. The Broncos went 10-20 this season, including 6-12 in the West Coast Conference. Mountain finished with a 56-127 record.
