A former ASU coach now leading U of A?

Blasphemy! A man who spent eight seasons patrolling the sidelines as an assistant coach of Arizona State’s men’s basketball team, and was the team’s radio color commentator last year is now the head coach of the University of Arizona?

Just when you thought the Lute Olson retirement saga couldn’t get any stranger, it has. Russ Pennell, according to reports, will be named the interim replacement to coach the Arizona Wildcats in 2008-09, after assistant Mike Dunlap turned down the job.

Did I mention that Pennell worked last season as ASU’s color commentator? Last season ended March 25th, less than 7 months ago.

Russ Pennell is a good coach, and a good man, and I’m glad he gets the opportunity to be the head coach of a major college program. It’s just unfortunate that it has to be in a drama-filled, lame-duck capacity.




It looks like U of A didn’t even spring for a new headshot, opting only to Photoshop the background. Pennell’s wearing the same jacket and tie, and no longer sports the flat top.

Like I said, this story gets more and more weird with every passing hour.

More on this story from the Tucson Citizen.

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Tags: Arizona Basketball, Lute Olson, Mike Dunlap, Russ Pennell, U of A Basketball