CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas will host a news conference at 1 p.m. Friday to announce Russ Pennell as its new head men's basketball coach, according to Dr. Brad Teague, UCA director of athletics.

Pennell, who played at UCA from 1982-84, was interim coach at the University of Arizona in 2008-09 and head coach at Grand Canyon University from 2009-2013. He most recently coached the Phoenix Mercury in the WNBA.

Pennell, a native of Pittsburg, Kan., has an extensive background as a collegiate assistant coach, at Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Arizona State and Arizona.

Pennell, 53, will replace UCA interim Coach Clarence Finley, who replaced Corliss Williamson last August when he left to be an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings in the National Basketball Association.

The news conference will be held in the Board Room at Wingo Hall on the UCA campus.