Pannone Lays Foundation, Seeks Consistency in Year Two

Ryan Pannone (Arkansas State Photo)

Ryan Pannone’s first season as Arkansas State’s men’s basketball coach showed that the program could survive major roster turnover without surrendering its winning expectations.

The next challenge is turning that promising transition year into sustained success.

Arkansas State finished 20-12 overall and 11-7 in Sun Belt Conference play during the 2025-26 season. The Red Wolves reached 20 victories for a third consecutive year despite entering Pannone’s first season without a returning player from the previous roster.

That accomplishment was significant.

Pannone inherited a program that had won 25 games under Bryan Hodgson in 2024-25 but lost its coaching staff and roster following Hodgson’s departure. Rather than asking for a lengthy rebuilding period, Pannone and his staff assembled an entirely new team and kept Arkansas State competitive.

The Red Wolves averaged 83 points per game, outscored opponents by 5.8 points and won a school-record nine road games. They also produced one of the nation’s largest rebounding advantages, averaging 41.3 rebounds while holding opponents to 33.3.

Arkansas State’s season ended with an 80-77 loss to Georgia Southern in the third round of the Sun Belt Tournament, leaving the Red Wolves short of competing for the conference championship or reaching another national postseason event.

The result did not erase the progress made in Pannone’s first season, but it showed where Arkansas State must improve.