Arkansas State University announced a series of promotions that will reshape its men’s basketball coaching staff for the upcoming 2026‑27 season, underscoring the program’s rapid ascent in the Sun Belt Conference.
A New Era of Coaching Leadership
Head coach Ryan Pannone revealed that veteran assistants Jordan Fair and Hayden Sowers have been elevated to associate head coach positions, while Max Thorpe joins the staff as an assistant coach, marking a strategic reinforcement of the program’s player‑development philosophy.
Fair, who spent eight years at the helm of Oldsmar Christian High School before arriving in Jonesboro, brings a proven track record of mentorship, having guided 35 of his players to college scholarships and produced five nationally ranked prospects. Sowers, meanwhile, concludes a three‑year stint at South Plains College with an 83‑19 record and two conference Coach of the Year honors, a tenure highlighted by the development of 95 Division I alumni.
Thorpe’s journey to Arkansas State blends on‑court experience with academic rigor; after a three‑year letter‑winning career at Florida State, where he contributed to an ACC Tournament final and an NCAA Sweet 16 run in 2021, he pursued graduate studies in sport management before a year as a graduate manager at Alabama. Pannone cited Thorpe’s “vast knowledge of the game and relentless work ethic” as key factors behind his promotion.
In a statement, Pannone emphasized that the trio has been instrumental in securing the Sun Belt’s top transfer recruiting class for the second consecutive year, a recruiting coup that helped the Red Wolves clinch a program‑record nine road victories and tie for the 14th‑most wins nationally among teams that fielded no returning players the previous season.
The 2025‑26 campaign also saw Arkansas State post a 20‑win season, finish second in the conference regular‑season standings, and lead the league with a 83.0 scoring average while ranking eighth nationally in rebounding. The team’s glass dominance, with a 41.3 rebounding average, formed the backbone of its success.
Looking ahead, the Red Wolves enter the new season armed with the conference’s highest‑ranked transfer class according to 247Sports, a testament to the program’s growing allure. The front office believes the newly structured coaching staff will continue to translate that momentum into sustained competitiveness.