Alabama Announces Hiring of Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach
The Alabama men's basketball team has announced the hiring of assistant coach Ryan Pannone.
"Alabama men’s basketball head coach Nate Oats announced Wednesday the hiring of Ryan Pannone as assistant coach. Pannone will join Austin Claunch as Oats’ second assistant coach," said Alabama Athletics' press release.
Pannone accepted the coaching job back in April, just two days after it was reported that Nate Oats & Co. were eyeing him for the open position.
“I am extremely honored to join The University of Alabama and Coach Oats’ staff,” said Pannone in the official press release. “The chance to join a legendary school with a basketball program that is among the best in the country is a privilege. Coach Oats leads a team that competes with NBA-style ball and runs NBA sets, so to have the opportunity to leverage my NBA experience to mentor and raise up student athletes was a rare and rewarding offer I couldn’t pass up.”
The 38-year old's coaching career dates back to 2006 and includes stints at Oldsmar Christian, Wallace State, Erie Bayhawks, multiple international basketball teams, and the Birmingham Squadron.
He most recently served as an assistant coach for the New Orleans Pelicans last season.