Ryan Payton was hired in the winter of 2021 as the first ACHA Women’s 2 Head Coach. Payton and Head Coach Tommy Lange were in charge of recruiting the University’s first ACHA Women’s 2 team – which will begin competition in the fall of 2022.
Payton has coached hockey since 2009, beginning with three seasons as the Eureka High School junior varsity and varsity coach. In 2012, he made the jump to Rockwood Summit High School where he coached for three seasons, winning a High School Wickenheiser Cup Championship in 2015.
After coaching boys for six seasons, he made the jump to the women’s side of the game in 2017. For two years, he was the head coach of the 16U AAA Lady Blues. From 2019 to 2021, he coached the 14U AAA Lady Blues.
“We are excited to have Coach Payton join our program,” said John Hogan, Director of Hockey at Maryville. “His love for the game, connections, reputation in town, and coaching the best girls in town for the past four seasons make him a perfect fit to join our staff. He coached with Coach Lange in the AAA Lady Blues program for a couple of years, so they really know and work well with each other. We can’t wait to see him lead our inaugural Women’s 2 team this season.”
Professionally, Payton founded and runs his own client-based fitness company, Innov8. He currently resides in Fenton, Missouri.
