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A former ASU and Oklahoma State assistant, Pennell spent the last two seasons running the Arizona Premier Basketball League.

By University Communications
May 5, 2008

University of Arizona men’s basketball coach Lute Olson  announced the hiring of Russ Pennell as an assistant coach on Monday.

Pennell, 47, returns to college basketball after spending the last two seasons running the Arizona Premier Basketball League in the Phoenix area. He also provided color commentary for the Arizona State University radio network during the 2007-08 season.

Most recently, Pennell served as an assistant coach for ASU, from 1998-2006.

“I’m just really excited to be working with a Hall of Fame coach in Lute Olson and a program with such a storied history,” Pennell said. “I’m looking forward to getting the program back to the level that the fans in Tucson and throughout the state have come to expect. This is a wonderful opportunity for me and my family.”

While working for the Sun Devils under coach Rob Evans, the program enjoyed one NCAA Tournament berth (2003) and three trips to the National Invitation Tournament. A highly competitive person, Pennell has long been considered an excellent tactician with an outstanding work ethic.

Prior to his tenure in Tempe, Ariz., Pennell served on Evans’ staff at the University of Mississippi for six seasons (1992-98). In that span, the Rebels went 86-81 (.515) and made NCAA Tournament appearances in 1997 and 1998.

In those two seasons, Mississippi won the Southeastern Conference West Division championship and won at least 20 games. It was the first time the program had posted consecutive 20-win seasons in 60 years.

He began his coaching career at Oklahoma State University , where he coached from 1990-92. In those two seasons, the Cowboys went 52-16 (.765) under coach Eddie Sutton.

During the 1990-91 campaign, the Cowboys shared the Big Eight Conference championship with a 24-8 overall record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

The following year, OSU posted a 28-8 record, was ranked as high as No. 2 in The Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Cowboys advanced to the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 in both of Pennell’s seasons in Stillwater.

“We’re happy to be adding a coach like Russ to our staff with his wealth of experience,” said Arizona head coach Lute Olson. “He is an outstanding coach, a hard worker and a wonderful family man. I’m sure Russ and his family will fit into the Tucson community very nicely.”

Pennell will begin his tenure on May 12, Olson said.

Pennell earned a degree in physical education from Pittsburg State University in 1989 and received his master’s in physical education from PSU in 1990.

Before joining the coaching profession, Pennell played for the Spirit Express, a traveling exhibition team from Memphis, Tenn., from 1984-88.

His collegiate playing career began at Arkansas, playing under Sutton in 1979-80. The Razorbacks finished second in the Southwest Conference. Pennell transferred to Central Arkansas in 1981 and was a two-year starter at point guard. As a senior, he led the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference with 8.2 assists per game.

A native of Pittsburg, Kan., Pennell is a 1979 graduate of Pittsburg High School, where he played for his father, Dewey, and was an all-state performer. As a senior, he helped his school maintain the No. 2 ranking in the state throughout the season.

Pennell is a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches and is extremely active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He and his wife, Julie, were married in 1986 and have two daughters, Morgan Rachel and Emily Katherine.