Eastern Michigan University's men's basketball program welcomed two significant additions to its coaching staff on August 5. Head Coach Billy Donlon announced the hiring of Paxton Payne and Brendan Durivage. The appointments highlight the university's commitment to bolstering its staff. Individuals bring both experience and strong academic backgrounds. Donlon emphasized the importance of these hires in furthering the program's goals. The goals are for the upcoming season.
Paxton Payne's Journey and Role
Paxton Payne will serve as the Director of Player Development. He is no stranger to Donlon's coaching style. During those two campaigns, Payne demonstrated basketball skills. He showcased his dedication to academics. He earned Summit League Academic Honor Roll recognition in both years. He was honored with the Commissioner's List of Academic Excellence for the 2021-22 season. This is a testament to his academic accomplishments.
Paxton Payne's Background
As a freshman at UMKC, Payne contributed an average of 2.6 points and 1.1 rebounds per game. Following his time there, he continued his basketball journey at Cleveland State in the 2022-23 season and later competed at Lourdes University during the 2024-25 campaign. His diverse experiences at different levels of collegiate play will provide valuable insights in his new role at EMU.
Donlon spoke highly of Payne's character and work ethic, noting that his background as the son of a respected coach was evident in his approach to the game. He has a great work ethic and mind for the game.'
Brendan Durivage has been named Chief of Staff, a position that reflects his deep experience and leadership qualities. Durivage most recently worked with EMU assistant coach Hassan Nizam, first at Central Michigan during the 2024-25 season and then at Cal State Fullerton in the 2025-26 season.
Donlon highlighted Durivage's organizational skills and attention to detail, traits that will be crucial in his new role. 'Brendan is organized and detailed,' he noted. 'He is a Michigan native with relationships throughout the state.' These personal connections could be particularly beneficial in recruiting and building community engagement within the state.
Brendan Durivage's Experience
Before joining Central Michigan and Cal State Fullerton, Durivage was involved in several Michigan-based AAU basketball organizations. While earning his undergraduate degree at Michigan State University, he coached in these programs. He volunteered with the REACH Legends in 2019. The REACH Legends are a well-respected AAU organization based in Detroit. They are known for their championship-level teams. In the summers of 2022 and 2023, Durivage served as a special assistant. He worked for the D Rice Elite 16U team, another Detroit-based AAU program with a strong reputation.
Coaches' Excitement and Expectations
Paxton Payne expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to join Eastern Michigan's coaching staff. 'I'm especially thankful for Coach Donlon giving me this chance.' He added, 'I'm excited to make an impact on our student-athletes.' He is also excited about the season ahead. His enthusiasm reflects his readiness to contribute to the growth of the program.
Durivage echoed similar sentiments about his new role. 'Definitely looking forward to being a part of the rich history of basketball here.' His comments underscored his eagerness to immerse himself in the local culture and contribute to the program's legacy.
Fans can follow the progress of Eastern Michigan's men's basketball team through EMUEagles.com, where the latest news and updates are posted. The team is also active on social media platforms, with official accounts on Twitter (@EMU_MBB) and Instagram (@EMUMBB). These channels provide followers with real-time updates, game highlights, and behind-the-scenes content.
With the addition of Paxton Payne and Brendan Durivage, the EMU men's basketball staff is now better equipped to prepare the team for competitive success and to foster a supportive, high-achieving environment for the student-athletes.