(MENA) An Arkansas coaching legend will be patrolling the sidelines this Fall at Mena High School.
Coach Jim Pennington was hired as the next Bearcats Boys Basketball head coach after an extensive search. Pennington will also serve as the Head Girls and Boys Tennis Coach as well.
Pennington, is a member of the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame and also a member of the White Hall High School Hall of Fame. With 36 yrs of coaching experience, he is best known for his 18 year tenure at Emerson High School. His overall record is 676-316.
At Emerson Pennington coached his teams to 15 conference championships, 15 district championships, and one state championship in 2001.
In track he led teams that won a total of 13 state championships, and he led a successful tennis program as well. Jim retired from coaching in 2012 and retired from teaching in 2014.
Since that time he spent a season volunteering in the basketball program in Doniphan, Missouri and volunteered at Lake Hamilton where his son Scotty Pennington is the head Senior Boys Basketball coach. Another son Chris Pennington is the head coach at Barbers Hill High School in Mont Belvieu, Texas.
Superintendent Benny Weston said “We are excited to add a coach of Jim Pennington’s caliber to the coaching staff in Mena. His expertise will not only have an impact on our athletes but also on our coaches and the community. This hire reflects our commitment to excellence in all aspects of our students high school experience.”
About Author
Jeri Pearson
Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.
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