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Russ Pennell has coaching in his blood and background and competes hard in everything he does, which is why Rob Evans likes him on his bench and on his staff. Even the players know that, as evidenced by several of them have said the person they hate to practice against is...coach Pennell.
"Russ is one of the most competitive people I have ever met, in anything, anywhere" says Evans. "He absolutely hates to lose in anything. He's such a great recruiter and he is so intense, but yet basketball is not the only thing going on his life. He has a great family and really is a great role model for not only our players but for anyone who aspires to be a great father and friend. Not only do I have a great assistant coach next to me, but a best friend."
Pennell's father, Dewey, is a successful high school coach in Missouri, and Russ for the second time followed Rob Evans as they are building the ASU program. Pennell is no stranger to Evans as they served together for two years on Eddie Sutton's staff at Oklahoma State (1990-92). And when Evans took the job at Ole Miss, he wanted Russ on his staff. Ditto six years later, as Evans took the ASU post to begin the process of taking ASU back to the NCAA Tournament.
"He is one of the top assistant coaches in the game, which is obvious by the amount of phone calls he gets from other schools looking for a solid head coach. He adds an incredible amount of knowledge to our program," says Evans. "He helped build a program at Ole Miss and his attitude is key as we build the Arizona State program. He is an excellent tactician and is one of the rising stars in the coaching profession. He has been around the game a long time and I have a tremendous amount of confidence in him."
Russ joined Evans in the summer of 2001 on the USA Basketball preliminary staff as Pennell helped select Evans' Junior World Championship team.
Pennell, 41, was on the Ole Miss staff under Evans that built the Mississippi program over the six year period (1992-98) that saw the Rebels reach several milestones under Evans, as they went 42-16 in their final two years and reached as high as No. 10 in the rankings. After their first four seasons at Ole Miss, the Rebels have been to the NCAA Tournament in five of six seasons since.
His duties with Arizona State include scouting, recruiting and developing practice schedules, but don't end there by any means.
Pennell (pronounced PENN-ull) served on the Oklahoma State staff from 1990-92 with Evans as an assistant coach. Pennell was a major factor in the successful two-year run the Cowboys enjoyed. In 1990-91, OSU shared the Big Eight Conference championship with Kansas after posting a 24-8 record. In 1991-92, the Cowboys were runner-up to the Jayhawks in the Big Eight and compiled an overall mark of 28-8. Oklahoma State advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in both 1991 and 1992 and in 1992 was ranked as high as No. 2 in the Associated Press poll.
Pennell earned his undergraduate degree in physical education from Pittsburg State in 1989 in his hometown of Pittsburg, Kan. He went on to receive his master's in physical education in 1990 from PSU.
Before returning to college coaching, Pennell played for the Spirit Express, a traveling exhibition team from Memphis, Tenn., from 1984-88.
Pennell began his college playing career at Arkansas, playing under Eddie Sutton in 1979-80 at Arkansas as 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. He was a teammate of Scottie Pippen on the 1983-84 squad.
A 1979 graduate of Pittsburg High School, Pennell 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.
He is a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches and is extremely active in Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has spoken at many national summer conferences over the past few years and writes and performs contemporary Christian Music. He has released a solo disc entitled "Tighter Hold of His Hand." He also has officially "tipped" an ASU game as well as his church group sang the national anthem before a game in 2002.
Russ and his wife, Julie, were married in 1986 and have two daughters, Morgan Rachel, (born May 1, 1996) and Emily Katherine (Oct. 26, 1999). Julie is a graduate of Central Arkansas and holds a master's degree from Ole Miss.
"Russ did a terrific job at Oklahoma State and at Mississippi," says Evans. "I knew he was the hard-working type coach that I needed to build our program so I brought him with me. He hasn't proven me wrong yet as he has done an outstanding job since the day he arrived."
RUSS PENNELL FILE
- Personal: Born November 28, 1960 in Pittsburg, Kan....married the former Julie Smith on June 7, 1986...daughter, Morgan Rachel, was born May 1, 1996.
- High School: Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Kan. (1979).
- College Education: B.S. in Physical Education, Pittsburg State University (1989)...Master's in Physical Education, Pittsburg State University (1990).
- Coaching Career: Assistant Coach, Arizona State (1998-present)...Assistant Coach, University of Mississippi (1992-98)... Assistant Coach, Oklahoma State University (1990-92)... Volunteer Coach, Pittsburg State University (1989-90)...Recruiting Coordinator, Spirit Express Basketball (1985-88).
