Men's Basketball
Russ Pennell
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Phone:
- 348-4075
Russ Pennell joined the Owls as Assistant Coach on August 11, 2022.
In 2022-21, he helped the Owls to their second straight postseason appearance for just the third time in school history and the first since 2004-05. For the second straight year, the team led C-USA in assists, setting a school record with 533. With a win over UTSA in the Conference USA Tournament, he guided the Owls to wins in three straight conference tournaments for the first time since 1994-96. Under his leadership, Max Fiedler and Quincy Olivari earned Second Team All-Conference USA honors, Travis Evee earned Honorable Mention for the second straight year, and Mekhi Mason was named to the All-Freshman Team. Olivari set the school record for career three-pointers made while Fiedler set the school and C-USA single-season record or field goal percentage.
Pennell comes to South Main after spending the last two years working with the NBA on its Draft preparation and development.
In his career, Pennell coached six conference Players of the Year, including 1995 sixth overall pick Bryant Reeves of Oklahoma State.
Pennell was the Head Coach at Central Arkansas from 2014-20, where he led the Bears to an appearance in the College Basketball Invitational quarterfinals in 2018. Prior to UCA, he was on the bench of the Phoenix Mercury during the 2013-14 season, serving as Interim Head Coach for the final 13 games and guiding them to the Western Conference Finals.
He spent four seasons as the Head Coach at Grand Canyon from 2009-13. Pennell had a 72-44 record at GCU. In 2010-11, he guided the Lopes to their first winning season since 2006 and followed it with seasons of 19 and 23 wins, leading Grand Canyon to the NCAA Division II tournament in back-to-back years.
In 2008-09, following the retirement of Lute Olson in October, Pennell was named Interim Head Coach at Arizona. He guided the Wildcats to a 21-14 record and a berth in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
In 2004, he founded the Arizona Premier Basketball Academy, serving it for four years. During that time, he developed skills for boys and girls from ages 8-18. Over that time, 27 students earned basketball scholarships.
Pennell was also an Assistant Coach at Arizona State (1998-2004), Ole Miss (1992-98) and Oklahoma State (1990-92). Over that time Pennell’s teams went to five NCAA Tournaments and made three NIT appearances.
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 Eddie 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.
In 2022-21, he helped the Owls to their second straight postseason appearance for just the third time in school history and the first since 2004-05. For the second straight year, the team led C-USA in assists, setting a school record with 533. With a win over UTSA in the Conference USA Tournament, he guided the Owls to wins in three straight conference tournaments for the first time since 1994-96. Under his leadership, Max Fiedler and Quincy Olivari earned Second Team All-Conference USA honors, Travis Evee earned Honorable Mention for the second straight year, and Mekhi Mason was named to the All-Freshman Team. Olivari set the school record for career three-pointers made while Fiedler set the school and C-USA single-season record or field goal percentage.
Pennell comes to South Main after spending the last two years working with the NBA on its Draft preparation and development.
In his career, Pennell coached six conference Players of the Year, including 1995 sixth overall pick Bryant Reeves of Oklahoma State.
Pennell was the Head Coach at Central Arkansas from 2014-20, where he led the Bears to an appearance in the College Basketball Invitational quarterfinals in 2018. Prior to UCA, he was on the bench of the Phoenix Mercury during the 2013-14 season, serving as Interim Head Coach for the final 13 games and guiding them to the Western Conference Finals.
He spent four seasons as the Head Coach at Grand Canyon from 2009-13. Pennell had a 72-44 record at GCU. In 2010-11, he guided the Lopes to their first winning season since 2006 and followed it with seasons of 19 and 23 wins, leading Grand Canyon to the NCAA Division II tournament in back-to-back years.
In 2008-09, following the retirement of Lute Olson in October, Pennell was named Interim Head Coach at Arizona. He guided the Wildcats to a 21-14 record and a berth in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen.
In 2004, he founded the Arizona Premier Basketball Academy, serving it for four years. During that time, he developed skills for boys and girls from ages 8-18. Over that time, 27 students earned basketball scholarships.
Pennell was also an Assistant Coach at Arizona State (1998-2004), Ole Miss (1992-98) and Oklahoma State (1990-92). Over that time Pennell’s teams went to five NCAA Tournaments and made three NIT appearances.
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 Eddie 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.
WBB: Rice vs. Marshall Postgame Presser
Wednesday, March 09
VB: Rice-Texas Postgame Presser
Saturday, December 04
VB: Rice-San Diego Postgame Presser
Thursday, December 02
