Alabama Basketball Officially Announces Ryan Pannone as Assistant Coach
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — New Orleans Pelicans assistant coach Ryan Pannone has officially been announced as Alabama basketball's second assistant coaching hire of the offseason, joining former Nicholls State head coach Austin Claunch.
The official announcement came nearly two months after the initial reports of his hiring, which came back on April 15.
"Over my last four years at Alabama, I have gotten to know Ryan through his work with the Pelicans organization. He is one of the brightest minds in the game of basketball and a relentless worker,” Alabama head coach Nate Oats said. “Ryan brings a wealth of Xs and Os experience to Tuscaloosa from his time coaching in the NBA, G League, and overseas. He is recognized as a top recruiter and a leader in player development, both crucial to the long and short-term success of our program. We are excited Ryan is on board working with our student athletes. Not only is he a fantastic coach, but he is an even better person and a proven mentor of young men. I am sure Ryan and his family will become a valued part of the Tuscaloosa community.”
Pannone will fill the second of three assistant coaching vacancies after Alabama's uber-successful 2022-23 season, which saw the Crimson Tide win the SEC regular season and tournament championships, along with a berth in the Sweet Sixteen.
Three Alabama assistants took head coaching positions following the year's conclusion: Bryan Hodgson to Arkansas State, Charlie Henry to Georgia Southern, and Antoine Pettway to Kennesaw State.
Pannone spent the past season on the sidelines for the New Orleans Pelicans, and spent the season before as the head coach of the Pelicans G League affiliate, the Birmingham Squadron.
“I am extremely honored to join The University of Alabama and Coach Oats’ staff,” Pannone said. “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.”
Alabama still has one assistant coaching vacancy to fill as the offseason continues to roll along.
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