Nicholls State University Athletics is welcoming back a familiar face.

Athletic Director Johnathan “J.T.” Terrell announced the hiring of Justin Payne as the Nicholls women’s basketball head coach. The announcement comes on the heels of former head coach DoBee Plaisance stepping down from the position.

Plaisance left the team after 15 seasons as head coach. In her time at Nicholls she set multiple school records, such as the most wins in school history.

Payne was an assistant coach under Plaisance’s tenure before leaving to coach women’s basketball at Georgia Southwestern after the 2019 season. He was also a point guard for the Nicholls men’s basketball team for four years and started in 89 of 111 games played.

In Payne’s four seasons at Georgia Southwestern the Hurricanes had an overall record of 69-35 with their only losing coming his first year as the team finished a record of 11-15.

In his tenure at Georgia Southwestern, he led the team to a few program firsts including the team’s first regular season and tournament conference titles as well as the first NCAA tournament winner for either the men’s or women’s team.

“We are extremely blessed to be a part of the Colonel Family again,” Payne said.

The Nicholls Alumnus, Payne, went on to thank Terrell and President Dr. Jay Clune for the opportunity and said that he was happy to be back home.