Professional Profile: Coach George Payan

[George Payan]

George Payan: Professional Profile

A highly accomplished educator and certified coach with over five decades of experience in athletics and physical education. Dedicated to cultivating "The Championship Lifestyle" in athletes and coaches—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, George Payan has a proven record of success across multiple competitive environments.

Current Role: Assistant Track Coach (Hurdles, Sprint Relays, 800m event advisor) at Granite High School, San Bernardino County, California. Also coaches sprinters during the off-season/summer.

Career Scope: Over 50 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 National University (CA).

Athletic Success: Coached athletes to numerous league, county, and regional 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 his university career.


Coaching Philosophy

My passion for coaching is a direct reflection of the values instilled by my own mentors: Coach Dale Winder, Santa Fe High School, CA; Coach Dr. Ron Witchey, Fullerton State University CA., I am still under the influence of Adams State College and Olympic Coach Joe I Vigil, Ph.D. My ultimate goal is not about simply winning, but about empowering every coach and athlete to accomplish their goals by focusing on effort, desire, and mental fortitude. We work together to embody "The Championship Lifestyle"—an understanding that with mutual commitment, there are truly no limits to what can be achieved.


Athletic & Professional Highlights

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

Qualified for the NCAA Nationals in the 880 yards 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 professional off-season games.

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)