Burlington Central basketball coach Chris Payne resigns

Burlington Central boys basketball coach Chris Payne resigned from his position Wednesday night, citing a change in priorities.

Payne said Thursday his obligations as a father to daughter Abigayle, 5, and son Trey, 3, trumped his desire to continue the demanding schedule of a high school basketball coach.

"My kids are getting older, and it's getting harder and harder to leave them during the season and in the summer," Payne said. "I just felt it was time to dedicate more of my time to them at this point.

"This was completely my decision. It's something I've been struggling with the last two years. I expect a lot out of myself because I expect a lot out of the kids I coach. If I don't think I can give them 100 percent of myself, I think it would be tough to expect that in return. I think that would be cheating them if I did that. When you start thinking like that it's time to get away and give someone else a chance to do it.

"If you would have told me 10 years ago when I got my first coaching job that I wouldn't want to do it after 10 years, I would have said you were crazy. But life changes. You get a family and your priorities change a little bit."

A 1992 graduate of St. Edward, Payne helped the Green Wave reach the Elite Eight in his senior season.

Payne coached the Rockets for six seasons (95-59). He led Central to consecutive Big Northern East titles in 2007 and 2008 and 3 regional titles (Class A in 2004 and 2005, Class 3A in 2008). The Rockets finished 12-14 this season, and the coach won his 200th game earlier this year against Marengo.

Payne came to Burlington Central from Mount Carroll, where he coached four seasons and led the 2002-03 team to a second-place finish in the Class A state tournament.

He leaves coaching with an overall record of 202-85.

Payne said he will not seek another coaching position and plans to remain in his current job as K-5 physical education teacher at Indian Trails Elementary School.

"I love my job, and I love this district," Payne said. "I work for real good people. As I sit here right now I don't see myself ever moving on to another school. Sometimes you don't want to ruin a good thing."