Towson University Athletics

The longest-tenured head coach in program history, Greg Paynter looks to lead the Tiger women's soccer program to new heights after a historic campaign in 2016 for his 10th season.

During the 2014 season, Paynter coached the Tigers into their first Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament berth since joining the conference in 2002.

The Tigers recorded eight shutouts - the most since 1997 - and went 3-0-2 in their final five matches, a mark that ranks as the program's longest unbeaten streak in its 22-year history. The Tigers topped William & Mary 2-0 in the regular season finale, which was not only Towson's first win over the Tribe in program history, but sealed the Tigers' berth in the conference tournament.

He guided the 2013 Tigers to the biggest single-season turnaround in program history, from one win in 2012 to eight in 2013. Paynter coached a Tiger defense that allowed the fewest CAA goals since 2003. Towson won back-to-back road games in the same weekend for the first time since 1999. Emily Banes became the program's leading career goal (30) and points (77) scorer and set single-season records for goals (15) and points (36) under Paynter's tutelage.
 
In 2011, Towson posted a 9-10 record, including their first win over CAA rival Hofstra since 1997 and their first victory over cross-town rival Loyola (Md.). Paynter's squad continued to improve offensively as well, totaling 31 goals for the year. The Tigers compiled a 6-11-3 record in 2010, which included a 1-0 victory over the University of Pennsylvania, which earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

The Tigers have faced some of the nation's top competition over the last five seasons and have continued to show improvement during that stretch. After a 4-14-1 record in 2008, the Tigers posted a 7-11-2 mark in 2009, including a 3-7-1 CAA record.

In his first season with the Tigers, Paynter led the team to a 9-8-1 record in 2007, which included a 6-1 non-conference record. The Tigers also produced one of the highest-scoring offenses in the program's 17-year history, scoring 28 goals in 18 games.

A 1995 graduate of Virginia Tech, Paynter arrived at Towson following eight seasons at CAA rival James Madison. He was an assistant coach for Coach Dave Lombardo, including one year as the Associate Head Coach.

Paynter joined Lombardo's coaching staff at JMU in 1999. During his tenure as Lombardo's assistant coach, he helped the Dukes post six winning seasons and an overall record of 89-70-15. While he coached at James Madison, the Dukes won the 2002 Colonial Athletic Association championship and finished as CAA runners-up twice. JMU also qualified for the NCAA Division I Tournament three times.

In 1999, James Madison earned an NCAA Tournament at-large berth and advanced to the round of 32. After a 1-0 victory over Penn in the first round, the Dukes dropped a 1-0 verdict to Virginia in the second round. JMU finished the 1999 season with a 14-7-1 record.

In 2002, the Dukes won the CAA championship with a 2-0 win over George Mason University. They advanced to the NCAA Tournament and edged Charlotte in the first round, 1-0, advancing to the round of 32. A 1-0 loss to Richmond ended their season with a 13-8-3 record.

A native of Chantilly, Va., Paynter primarily served as JMU's Recruiting Coordinator and assisted Coach Lombardo in all aspects of the program. He holds an advanced national diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

Paynter began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant coach with the Virginia Tech men's soccer team. He spent the 1995 and 1996 seasons working with the Hokies. After three years as an elementary school teacher in Rockingham County, Va., he joined the JMU coaching staff in 1999.

In addition to his experience as a coach with the Olympic Developmental program, Paynter has been a coach at the club level for youth soccer and also served as the boys' soccer coach at Broadway High School for one year.

While at Towson, Paynter has worked with the Baltimore Bays U-16 club team, which won the Maryland State Cup championship in 2011.

Coach Paynter earned his bachelor's degree in liberal arts and sciences from Virginia Tech in 1995 and hismaster's degree in education from James Madison in 1998.

Coach Paynter is the father of two sons, Tripp and Baxter.