Brent Payne said he is resigning as Claremore’s baseball coach but will remain as the school’s athletic director. Payne, 57, is finishing his 35th year in education and 28th year as coach.

Claremore coach Brent Payne shakes hands with starting pitcher Jacob Teague (23) before pulling him from the mound in the second inning of the Class 5A state baseball championship in 2012.