Professional Profile: Coach George Payan

[George Payan]

George Payan: Professional Profile

I'm an educator/certified coach with over five decades of experience in athletics and teaching Physical Education and Adapted Physical Education. Dedicated to cultivating "The Championship Lifestyle" in athletes and coaching—a philosophy rooted in the belief that effort, desire, and a growth mindset are the keys to unlocking limitless potential.

Experience & Expertise

With a career spanning high school, collegiate, university, and club levels, I have a proven record of success across multiple competitive environments.

Current Role: Assistant Track Coach at a local High School, San Bernardino County, California. Also coaching sprinters during the off-season/summer and coaching club runners year around.

Career Scope: Over 50 plus years of combined teaching and coaching experience since 1972.

Leadership: Served as Head Coach for both male and female Cross Country and Track & Field teams in the Santa Ana Unified School District.

Educational Instruction: Retired teacher and retired instructor from Santa Ana School District and National University (CA).

Athletic Success: Coached athletes to numerous league, county championships. Competitors have advanced to the California State Championship Meets and National Championship meets in both Cross Country and Track & Field.


International & Major Event Involvement

Participation in international events and major games showcases a high level of expertise and dedication.

International Coaching Assignment: Served as an Assistant Coach for a delegation of athletes competing in a cross country meet in Taiwan, China in 1985.

Olympic Involvement: Volunteered at the Track & Field events for the 1984 Olympic Games at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Clinical Instruction: Served as an Instructor for the Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games / CIF Southern Section Cross Country Clinics.

Collegiate Competition: Competed in the Japanese-American Games at Kesar Stadium in San Francisco, CA, following my university career.


Coaching Philosophy

My passion for coaching is a direct reflection of the values instilled in me by my own mentors. I am the product of the guidance of Coach Dale Winder (Santa Fe High School), Coach Dick Young (Rio Hondo Community College), and the leadership of Distance Coach Jim Schultz and Head Coach Dr. Ron Witchey (Fullerton State University). My philosophy was further deepened by the influence of Adams State College and the legendary Olympic Coach, Dr. Joe I. Vigil.

My ultimate goal transcends the scoreboard. I strive to empower every coach and athlete to reach their potential by focusing on effort, desire, and mental fortitude. Together, we embody "The Championship Lifestyle"—a commitment to the belief that when we work with mutual dedication, there are truly no limits to what we can achieve.

Success in coaching, however, requires more than just a philosophy; it requires a partnership. I was fortunate to work under an extraordinary Athletic Director, Terri Orabona. For decades, she was the backbone of our program, providing unwavering support in equipment, staffing, and logistics. More importantly, she provided the honest accountability that allowed me to grow. On a scale of 1 to 10, she is a 12. Her support made it possible for our athletes to flourish not just as competitors, but as great citizens and professionals.

Athletic & Professional Highlights

Collegiate Competition (Fullerton State University): Competed on an athletic scholarship for Cross Country, and Track & Field. Contributing to an NCAA Runner-up finish and the NCAA National Championships team in Cross Country.

Qualified for the NCAA Nationals in the 800 meters in Track.

Continued competing after college for the Southern California Striders.


Leadership & Service:

Column Editor for the California Track and Cross Country Coaches Alliance / Coaches Corner, providing articles to advance coaching knowledge.

Served on the California Southern Section Cross Country Advisory Committee.

Officiating: Officiated Football and Basketball for the Southern California Officials Association (1974–1984), including high school, Division 2 college, and one of my memorable officiated a professional Los Angles Rams football players playing basketball off-season playing a local high school coaching staff.

Community Service: Part-time Recreation Director II for the Anaheim Parks and Recreation Department (1969–1984). Part-time Outreach Worker for the Fullerton YMCA, California.


Education & Credentials

M.Ed. (Master of Education): 1985, Azusa Pacific University, The State of California

B.S., Physical Education (Kinesiology): 1972, Fullerton State University, The State of California

USA Track & Field Certified: Level II Track and Field Coach (Endurance, Sprints, Hurdles).


Credentials:

Adapted Physical Education Specialist Credential (1987)

Instructor Credential, The California Community Colleges (1989)

Standard Teaching Credential (1972)