FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Magnolia School District Announces Chris Pennington as New Athletic Director
Magnolia, Arkansas — The Magnolia School District is proud to announce the appointment of Chris Pennington as the new Athletic Director for Magnolia Public Schools. Pennington brings more than 30 years of coaching and athletic leadership experience and a strong record of developing successful programs and mentoring student-athletes.
A graduate of Southern Arkansas University, Pennington has dedicated his career to building competitive teams while emphasizing character, discipline, and academic achievement among student-athletes.
During his distinguished coaching career, Pennington has recorded 653 wins as a head basketball coach and led teams to 14 District Championships. His leadership and success have earned him District Coach of the Year honors 14 times. In addition, he has served as a Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) Board Member and was selected as a SETCA All-Star Coach twice, recognizing his impact on the sport and the athletes he has coached.
Pennington’s experience spans multiple sports, reflecting his versatility and comprehensive understanding of athletics. Over the course of his career, he has served as Head Boys Basketball Coach, Head Girls Basketball Coach, Head Volleyball Coach, Head Baseball Coach, Head Cross Country Coach, Head Golf Coach, and Head Tennis Coach. He has also contributed as an Assistant Coach in Football and Softball, giving him broad experience in managing and supporting a full athletic department.
Before joining Magnolia Public Schools, Pennington spent four years coaching in Arkansas before moving to Texas, where he served 11 years at Barbers Hill, 10 years at Hooks, and 5 years at Texas High School. Throughout his career, he has helped guide numerous teams and student-athletes to success while building programs rooted in strong values and teamwork.
Pennington was also a highly accomplished student-athlete. He was a State Champion in Track, winning the 800-meter run and as a member of the 1600-meter relay team. He earned All-District honors in basketball for three years, was named All-Region in basketball, and achieved All-State recognition in track.
Pennington and his wife, Stacy, an Account Executive with Bluum Technology, have one son, Bryce, who recently graduated from Southern Arkansas University with a degree in Criminal Justice and is pursuing a career in law enforcement.
As Athletic Director, Pennington is committed to strengthening Magnolia’s proud athletic tradition by supporting coaches, developing student-athletes, and building programs that reflect pride, integrity, and competitive excellence for the Panther community.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Pennington to Magnolia,” said Superintendent Skipper Ward. “His experience, leadership, and passion for student-athlete development make him an excellent fit for our district and our Panther athletic programs.”
The Magnolia School District looks forward to the continued growth and success of its athletic programs under Pennington’s leadership.