Russ Pennell, Head Basketball Coach
Age: 53
Coaching career
| 1985–88 | Spirit Express University (Recruiting Coord.) | |
| 1989–90 | Pittsburg State (Volunteer) | |
| 1990–92 | Oklahoma State (Assistant) | |
| 1992–98 | Mississippi (Assistant) | |
| 1998–2006 | Arizona State (Assistant) | |
| 2008–09 | Arizona (Interim Head Coach) | 19-13 (9-9)[1] |
| 2009–2013 | Grand Canyon University[2](Head Coach) | 72-44 (46-22) |
| 2013 | Phoenix Mercury (Interim Head Coach) | 11-7[3] |
| [1] reached NCAA tournament as 12 seed, upsetting 5th seeded Utah in first round [2]Grand Canyon was a D2 school participating in the Pacific West Conference [3]Mercury reached Western Conference Finals. Regular season record was 9-4. 11-7 record included playoffs. |
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- Grew up in Pittsburgh, Kansas
- Attended the University of Arkansas prior to UCA where he played point guard for two seasons
- Experience with Arizona AAU summer league
Wikipedia link
Russ Pennell will not return as head coach of Phoenix Mercury
“I just wanted to stay in college basketball,” Pennell said Friday. “I had a great time with the Mercury. They treated me great from the top down. At the end of the day, my calling is in college basketball, and it was in the best interest for me and my family to pursue some other things.”
“I’ve got some things in the works,” Pennell said without being more specific. “Some stuff won’t happen until spring time.”
link
People from Arizona/his past love him
Doug Tammaro, Arizona State Media Relations Director
Solid news of day is 1 of best humans on planet is back coaching college hoops. Congrats Russ Pennell @ghansen711 @DougHaller @GoodmanESPN
— Doug Tammaro (@DougTammaro) March 5, 2014
Kyle Dodd, former Arizona State point guard/runs Arizona Premier Basketball Academy
Congrats 2 Coach Pennell to get back at it at his alma mater Central Arkansas…well deserved after getting forced out for no reason at GCU
— Kyle Dodd (@K_Dodd3) March 5, 2014
@ucafans you guys got a good one in Coach P….great coach and even better person…Good Luck!!!!
— Kyle Dodd (@K_Dodd3) March 5, 2014
Mark Nold, Head Mens Basketball Coach at Chandler High School
Congratulations to my close friend Russ Pennell on his new job as the Head Coach of The University of Central Arkansas. Excited for you!
— Mark Nold (@CoachNold) March 5, 2014
Roger Idstrom, Associate Head Basketball Coach at Lipscomb University
One of the truly good guys in college basketball is back in the business. Russ Pennell hired at Central Arkansas. Welcome back, Russ.
— Roger Idstrom (@rogeridstrom) March 5, 2014
Ryan Finley, Arizona Daily Star sports editor
Atta boy, Russ Pennell: Former #arizonawildcats, GCU coach finds a new home: http://t.co/vchunHhWxZ
— Ryan Finley (@ryan_finley) March 5, 2014
Braylon Pickrel, Grand Canyon player/former PacWest Player of the Year
Russ Pennell to Central Arkansas.. Research suggests it's the first time in his last three jobs he has been appreciated as a great coach.
Spring Football Practice Schedule
- Thursday, March 6 – 3:45
- Saturday, March 8 – 6:00 a.m.
- Tuesday, March 11 – 3:45
- Thursday, March 13 – 3:45
- Saturday, March 15 – 9:00 a.m. (scrimmage)
- Tuesday, March 18 – 3:45
- Thursday, March 20 – 3:45
SPRING BREAK - Tuesday, April 1 – 3:45
- Thursday, April 3 – 3:45
- Saturday, April 5 – 9:00 a.m. (scrimmage)
- Tuesday, April 8 – 3:45
- Thursday, April 10 – 3:45
- Friday, April 11 – 3:45
- Saturday, April 12 – PURPLE/GRAY GAME – 3:00
* all dates/times subject to change