Photo courtesy of the Northeast Arkansas Career and Technical Center
The Northeast Arkansas Career and Technical Center (NEACTC) celebrated 50 years of opening doors for students on Friday, March 14.
“It’s just nice that I’m able to contribute to the legacy of the place. So this is, this is most definitely a very special place in Northeast Arkansas,” Alex Ragsdale, special projects manager for the NEACTC, said.
The career technical school serves 14 school districts across Northeast Arkansas, it has undergone multiple name changes over the years but its purpose of preparing students for a variety of career skills remains constant.
Ragsdale said the center offers free college credit to high school students, free industry certifications, and clubs.
“This is a good place for students to get experience in the job field that they’re thinking about going into because we know how costly college can be, so it’s nice to kind of get your feet wet in this situation,” Ragsdale said. “Just an amazing place for students just to kind of fill out what they want to be.”
Robert Stephens and Mell Stephens attended the celebration. Robert taught computer-aided drafting at the technical school for 27 years, and Mell taught a parenting skills class for three years.
Robert Stephens and Mell Stephens look at a photo of themselves from their time at the Northeast Arkansas Career and Technical Center. Robert Stephens taught computer aided drafting for 27 years and Mell Stephens taught parenting skills for three years. Photo by DDNS Reporter Shailey Wooldridge.
“We had a great time,” Robert Stephens said. “I have a lot of students I see around town in places that appreciate what they learned here. Had several state winners.”
Mell Stephens said that many Roberts students became architects.
“It’s good that kids are getting recognized that come here. For years, we always said that more kids ought to be taking because they would be needed later on, and now, today, that’s exactly what’s happened. More and more folks in these classes are needed out on the job,” Robert Stephens said.
Mell Stephens said she enjoyed her time teaching at the NEACTC.
“I loved it. I loved the girls. Yeah, I had some challenges, but boy, I loved the girls. Loved teaching, and I had a couple of boys that came to it,” Mell Stephens said.
Isabella Stanton, a senior at Jonesboro High School and the president of the NEACTC SkillsUSA chapter said she discovered her passion for the EMT program through NEACTC.
“I did not know what I wanted my job or anything I was interested in until I learned this is here. I spoke with all the teachers, but I fell in love with the EMT program. I think it’s really why many people can figure out what they want to do,” Stanton said.
She said the NEACTC has supported her in many ways.
“I’m in EMT school, but Medic One wants to hire me already. It’s given me many opportunities, and I’ve made many friends and mentors from here as well. So, the NEACTC is a good place to find what you want to do,”
Ryan Pannone, Photo courtesy of the University of Alabama
JONESBORO, Ark. (3/30/25) – Arkansas State Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Jeff Purinton announced Sunday that Ryan Pannone, who has gained a reputation over the course of his 23-year career as one of the nation’s top offensive minds and player-development coaches, has been named the Red Wolves’ 18th all-time head men’s basketball coach.
A 2025 selection to Silver Waves Media’s prestigious Elite 75 Future Head Coach Power Lunch, Pannone (pronounced Puh-Known) comes to A-State after most recently spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Alabama. The Crimson Tide boasted the nation’s highest scoring average both years as Pannone helped lead the program to Final Four and Elite Eight appearances in the NCAA Tournament in 2023-24 and 2024-25, respectively. However, his path to Jonesboro also went through six different countries, including the United States, China, Germany, Israel, Korea and Slovakia.
“Coach Pannone has achieved success both nationally and internationally, running high-tempo offenses in systems that emphasize player development. He is well-known as an elite basketball tactician and great recruiter with the ability to get the very best out of his players. He truly cares about the young men he coaches, placing a priority on their success both on and off the court.”
An introductory press conference open to the public will be held soon on a date to be announced at a later time. The press conference will take place in the Centennial Bank Athletics Operations Center, located in the north end zone of Centennial Bank Stadium, and be streamed live on the Arkansas State Athletics Facebook page (/AStateRedWolves). The press conference will also be carried lived on the Ticket Radio Network (95.3 FM, 96.9 FM and 970 AM in Jonesboro) and through the EAB Media app.
Pannone owns a wealth of experience at numerous levels, including NCAA Division I, NBA, G-League, various professional leagues overseas, junior college, high school and AAU. He has claimed 204 career wins in nine years as a head coach, including stops with the G-League’s Erie BayHawks and Birmingham Squadron and the Slovak Basketball League’s BC Prievidza.
His background includes 18 years of coaching players with NBA experience. He has coached 82 total NBA players and 46 players selected in the First Round of the NBA Draft, including 30 Lottery picks.
“The A-State basketball brand is on the rise amid great momentum, and that is a testament to the amazing job Bryan Hodgson, his staff and the players have done the last two years. They built a strong foundation, and I’m fortunate to be stepping into a fantastic situation – we’re in a great place to continue elevating this program together. Our staff and players will be committed to working extremely hard to put a fun and winning product on the floor while representing our community in a first-class manner.
“I also want to thank everyone associated with the University of Alabama, including head coach Nate Oats, Athletics Director Greg Byrne, the coaching staff and the players, for a wonderful two years in Tuscaloosa.”
Serving as Alabama’s offensive coordinator under head coach Nate Oats, Pannone orchestrated the country’s most explosive offenses the last two seasons. The Crimson Tide averaged over 90 points per game both of his years in Tuscaloosa, including a school-record 90.7 average in 2024-25. Alabama made an NCAA Tournament-record 25 three pointers in its Sweet 16 victory over BYU.
The Crimson Tide eclipsed 100 points in 17 contests during Pannone’s time with the program, including an SEC-record nine games this year. Alabama also led the nation in offensive tempo each of the last two years while posting a combined 53-21 record.
Pannone spent the season prior to his arrival at Alabama as an assistant coach for the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, helping lead the squad to 42 victories and a Play-In Tournament berth.
He served as head coach of both the Erie BayHawks and Birmingham Squadron as part of the NBA’s G-League from 2019-22. His squads made back-to-back playoff appearances his last two seasons and had 11 combined NBA call-ups.
Pannone was also on the BayHawks coaching staff as an assistant during their 2014-15 campaign, but spent a season before that and the four years after coaching internationally.
His first overseas coaching opportunity came in 2013-14 as an assistant with the Guangzhou Long Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association. His next international coaching job came with the Hanau (Germany) White Wings, also as an assistant in 2015-16.
The 2016-17 season saw Pannone work as an assistant coach with Hapoel Jerusalem, helping the team appear in the Final Four of the EuroCup and claim the Israel Winner League Championship. He then spent the following year as head coach for a BC Prievidza (Slovakia) team that led its league in defense, opponent points per game, rebounding and three-point field goals made and attempted.
Pannone returned to Hapoel Jerusalem as an assistant coach for the 2018-19 season, when the squad led the Champions League in points, assists and rebounds. He also worked remotely as an advanced scout and video coordinator for the Angola National Team in 2019.
“I am thrilled to have Coach Pannone join our team and community,” said ASU System President Dr. Brendan Kelly. “Our efforts to continue to elevate depend on us attracting great talent and excellent leaders. Coach Pannone embodies both of those descriptors.”
Pannone began his coaching career in 2003 while working on his undergraduate degree at the University of South Florida, taking an assistant position at Oldsmar (Fla.) Christian School. He was elevated to head coach three years later in 2006 and served in that role until 2011, posting a 131-42 record that included wins over three USA Today nationally-ranked teams.
Following his time at Oldsmar Christian, and one year before he joined the Guangzhou Long Lions, Pannone spent the 2011-12 campaign as an assistant coach at Wallace State (Ala.) Junior College. His lone season in Hanceville saw the Lions win the Region XXII Championship and Alabama State Championship. They were one of 16 teams in the country to qualify for the JUNCO National Tournament.
In addition to his numerous coaching stops from 2006-19, Pannone worked at the Pro Training Center as its NBA Director. During that time, he oversaw the development of over 50 NBA players, 33 First-Round NBA Draft selections and 22 Lottery picks.
The Clearwater, Fla., native earned his bachelor’s degree in general studies with a concentration of public health from the University of South Florida in 2011. While working on his degree, he was a student manager for the men’s basketball program under Robert McCullum in 2006-07.
Pannone and his wife, Dr. Sarah Pannone, have three children — Raylan (7), Dahlia (5), Trajan (3).
2019 & 2021 | NBA Summer League, New Orleans Pelicans Assistant Coach
2017 | NBA Basketball Without Borders Camp, Tel Aviv (Israel) Assistant Coach
2015-17 | Korean Basketball League, LG Sakers Director of Player Development
2013 | NBA Summer League, Memphis Grizzlies Assistant Coach
By the Numbers
1 Final Four appearance
1 Elite Eight appearance
3 different continents of pro basketball coaching experience
5 years of international coaching experience
6th best record in the NBA’s G-League during last two seasons (2020-22)
9 years of head coaching experience
17 total 100-point games the last two seasons combined
18 years of coaching players with NBA experience
22 years of coaching experience
30 NBA Lottery picks coached
46 first-round NBA Draft selections coached
75.2 KenPom offensive tempo ranked 1st in the nation (2024-25)
82 NBA players coached
126.0 KenPom Offensive Efficiency ranked 2nd in the nation (2023-24)
126.8 KenPom Offensive Efficiency ranked 4th in the nation (2024-25)
204 wins as a head coach
Pannone’s Coaching Pillars
Accountability
Organization
Servanthood
Inspiration
Loyalty
Unity
Love
What They’re Saying
“Ryan Pannone is a great hire for Arkansas State. He has an elite basketball IQ and pairs that with a relentless work ethic that gives him the ability to be a great teacher and developer of talent. Ryan possesses one of the elite offensive minds in basketball, creating a system for his players to thrive in as Alabama led the nation in scoring during his two years in Tuscaloosa. His experience in the NBA, overseas and in college basketball has prepared him for the job. He will be a great fit in Jonesboro.
Nate Oats, Alabama Head Coach
“Ryan has one of the brightest basketball minds in the business. His knowledge, work ethic, passion and experience far outweighs his years. He will have tremendous success at Arkansas State!”
Scott Drew, Baylor Head Coach
“Ryan Pannone is one of the top basketball minds in the game. Many of us in the profession have sought him out for ideas. No one studies the game more than Ryan. And if you’re a player, you’ll get a chance to play for a guy who has coached the game at every level. He can help you get where you want to go.”
Stan Van Gundy, current NBA and college basketball commentator and former NBA head coach
“Ryan Pannone is one of, if not the smartest, hardest working coaches I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with. He’s got a devotion for players and a passion for the game, and it shows immensely through his creativity with X’s and O’s and player development. He’s a leader and a competitor and an elite level head coach. Any program would be fortunate to have him serving in any capacity.
Bryson Graham, New Orleans Pelicans General Manager
“I am incredibly happy for this next opportunity for Ryan. He has a tremendous passion for the game of basketball and teaching it to his players. Every time we speak he is about to watch film or has just finished watching film. He is always studying how he can improve as a coach and different ways for his players and teams to get better. Arkansas State is in great hands with Ryan.”
Trajan Langdon, Detroit Pistons President of Basketball Operations
During the annual meeting, Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver addressed plans to grow the city’s population to 100,000 people, the city’s strong financial health, and projected 2025 projects and revenues.
The mayor spoke for around 30 minutes to a packed crowd at Embassy Suites.
“The state of the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas is strong. It’s filled with potential because of the people it’s filled with,” Copehaver said. “Jonesboro is anything but static.”
Copenhaver said the city has $33 million in reserves and projected 2025 revenues of $93 million. Its achievements in 2024 include a 106-ton neighborhood cleanup, a revived glass recycling program, and numerous park and infrastructure improvements.
He said preparing for 100,000 people will require constant effort to maintain the city’s growth and prosperity.
This month, Jonesboro will break ground on the $70 million Sportsplex, which Copenhaver said will increase revenue for Jonesboro businesses.
Additionally, he said plans for repairing and adding miscellaneous streets, sidewalks, and road overlay projects will cost another seven figures.
“Among the most critical projects that need funding is extensive work on South Caraway Road and the associated pedestrian accommodations,” Coperhaver said.
The city will fund foundational pieces of the master parks plan, provide new vehicles and equipment for the police and fire departments, and update the Jonesboro E-911 center.
He said community engagement is necessary to address crime, provide opportunities for youth, and support local nonprofits and businesses.
Copenhaver said quality of life for parents is knowing their kids can safely cross streets, call 911 in an emergency, and receive a kind and experienced dispatcher on the other end.
“We all love to think big, but we can’t overlook the basic responsibility as leaders of this community. I believe, like you, we have a moral responsibility, a moral mandate, to prioritize projects that will save lives,” Copenhaver said. “Kids can’t be it if they can’t see it.”
Delta Digital News Service 