According to a report by the The562.com, Long Beach (CA) Jordan High School has hired former NFL running back Rashaad Penny as their next head football coach.
[ $19.99 gets you a FULL year of On3 | Rivals national coverage ]
“We’re beyond excited to have Coach Penny taking over the program,” Jordan athletic director Josh Dozier said in the report. “The career accolades are obvious: San Diego State legend, Norwalk legend, an amazing NFL career. But we’re more excited about who he is as a person, who he is off the field: a mentor, and a role model for our students, especially as student-athletes. I think he just exemplifies that to a T.”
Penny played in the NFL as recently as the 2023 season and as a first round pick (No. 27) in the 2018 draft by the Seattle Seahawks, had high expectations coming out of San Diego State.
During the short course of his career, Penny rushed for 1,951 yards on 348 carries and scored 13 touchdowns.
As a senior for the Aztecs during his college days in 2017, Penny rushed for 2,248 yards, good enough for sixth best all-time in the collegiate record books. That very same year, Penny finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Now Penny is being tasked to turnaround a Jordan football program that has gone 5-15 over the last two seasons.
“Oh, heck yeah. Especially going back into the area, coming back home,” Penny said in the The562.com report. “Just seeing my little nephews, and my little cousins that played in that area, it’s kind of a no-brainer. It’s always been something I wanted to do.”
The Panthers ended this past season with a 1-8 record and finished ranked No. 574 in the final 2025 California High School Football Massey Rankings.
More about Jordan High School
Established in 1934, David Starr Jordan High School, located in North Long Beach, California, serves approximately 2,200 students from 9th to 12th grade. The school offers specialized Linked Learning Pathways such as ACE, AIMS, JMAC, and LEAPS, providing industry-aligned educational experiences. Jordan High is undergoing a comprehensive modernization, including new facilities for medical sciences, arts, and advanced manufacturing, with completion expected in 2026.
How to Follow California High School Football
For California high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the nation, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the Golden State, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the high school football excitement across the state of California.