IPBG Coach of the Year: Hilton Head Island's BJ Payne

Hilton Head Island's 2015 season was its finest in a long time.

The Seahawks reached the 10-win mark for the first time in 25 years, set 22 team records in the process and reached the second round of the Class 3-A playoffs.

At the helm was B.J. Payne. His fourth season with the Seahawks was his best, and for it, Payne is the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette's Coach of the Year.

Payne, who came into the job with a five-year plan, said he knew the Seahawks would be good this year.

"(Our 7-0 start) was a surprise two years ago, and it looked like we took a step back last year," Payne said. "But in reality, we started so many freshmen two years ago -- these next two classes, I knew they were going to be pretty good. I knew this could be a special year."

The Seahawks won the Bridge Bowl against rival Bluffton for the third straight season and were within a snap of a Region 8-AAA championship.

A 27-21 win over Aiken in the first round of the playoffs ended a seven-game playoff losing streak and gave the team its first postseason win since a 14-10 win over Georgetown on Nov. 3, 2006.

And Payne has three more players moving on to play Division I football -- defensive backs Jestin Morrow and Jeremiah Maddox are committed to Marshall, while cornerback John Baty will play at Army.

"I've always hung my hat on making sure my kids who want to have an opportunity to go somewhere and play," Payne said. "This game is about more than just Friday nights.

"I hope that 10 years after my kids leave high school, they're set to make an impact in their community."

Senior quarterback Hegarty said Payne has permanently impacted not only his football career, but his life.

"He made us all want to work hard," Hegarty said. "I think I'll take that with me the rest of my life."

This story was originally published December 27, 2015 at 3:05 AM with the headline "IPBG Coach of the Year: Hilton Head Island's BJ Payne."