Looking to continue building the Towson women's soccer program, Coach Greg Paynter embarks on his sixth season as the Tigers' leader.
 
In 2011, Towson posted a 9-10 record, including their first win over Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) rival Hofstra since 1997 and their first-ever victory over cross-town rival Loyola (Md.). Paynter's squad continues 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 four 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 his master's degree in education from James Madison in 1998.

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