Arkansas State men’s basketball added six members to the support staff ahead of the 2026-27 season, head coach Ryan Pannone announced.
Maiya Rawlinson joins the program as the director of basketball operations following three seasons in the same role for the South Alabama women’s basketball program. She began her career in basketball operations at the DPS Success Society in Pitman, New Jersey, and spent time with the Delaware Blue Coats and Holy Cross before arriving in Mobile.
“Maiya joins our program after a stint with the South Alabama women’s basketball program,” said Pannone. “The recommendations we got across college basketball, from our own women’s staff and beyond, make us believe that she will be a great addition and will build upon the organization and leadership of our program.”
Rawlinson played one season of collegiate basketball at Georgian Court University, and has multiple seasons of coaching experience.
Riley Arnold accepted the director of analytics and strategy position following four seasons as a student manager at Alabama. While with the Crimson Tide, Arnold assisted with preliminary scouting, player workouts, analytics and recruiting.
The graduate assistant also served as a video analyst for the Blue Collar U basketball team during both appearances in 2021 and 2022.
Wes Reinagel enters his first season at A-State and will take the role of head video coordinator after spending four seasons as a student manager and graduate assistant at Alabama. He assisted with scouting, player development, game preparation, video analysis and analytics prior to joining the Red Wolves as a graduate assistant.
The Annandale, New Jersey, native was a standout player at North Hunterdon High School, where he finished at second place on the men’s all-time scoring list.
“Both Riley and Wes come to us following stints at the University of Alabama,” said Pannone. “They will push our analytics and data-driven programs, that we use and apply within our player-development program, to new heights.”
Following four seasons as a head student manager for Syracuse men’s basketball, Isaiah Taveras joins the staff and will work in player development and video. While with the Orange he was responsible for video and daily operations, and assisted in coordinating logistics for all athletic events during a Cuse Crew internship in Fall 2023.
“As a young coach, Isaiah’s relentless work ethic really stuck out to us,” said Pannone. “When we talked with him about the position, it was obvious that he is a young talented coach with a bright future.”
Taveras also held internships in the video production, scouting and player development fields. He worked with organizations such as Draft Dispatch, Swish Cultures and Taylor Sports Group.
Jake Harrell returns to his hometown to take on a role in player development and video. He joins the staff as a volunteer following two seasons as an assistant sports performance coach at Elon, where he began as an intern in the summer of 2023.
“Jake comes to us as a local Jonesboro native and carries a basketball background, playing for the legendary coach Wes Swift at Jonesboro High,” said Pannone. “He won a national championship in football at Harding University, which not only makes him a great addition to our staff as a character, but also as a national champion. What it takes to win at that level applies across all sports.”
Prior to his time with the Phoenix, Harrell worked with the strength and conditioning staff at Harding upon completion of his graduate degree. As a student he assisted with all aspects of the Bison strength and conditioning department and was a member of the national championship football team in 2023.
Ron Trapps joins Harrell in player development and video ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. In 2025, Trapps served as an associate head coach at Fayetteville Academy in South Carolina and led the team to a 27-5 (12-0 SAC) record and a Sandhills Athletic Conference title.
While serving as a signal officer from 2021-25 in the United States Army, the volunteer assistant spent time as the All-Army women’s head basketball coach and was also a member of the All-Army men’s basketball team.
“Ron Trapps was a team captain at the collegiate level and served in the U.S. military,” said Pannone. “He will be a great addition for our young men, and his leadership skills will be important to our staff and for our players’ development.”
The Lancaster, South Carolina, native won two gold medals as a player at the Armed Forces Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships. At the collegiate level, Trapps made 49 appearances over three seasons as a player at Coastal Carolina and played in all 34 contests during his final season at North Carolina Central.
| 2026 ARKANSAS STATE MEN’S BASKETBALL STAFF ADDITIONS | |
| Maiya Rawlinson | Director of Basketball Operations |
| Riley Arnold | Director of Analytics and Strategy |
| Wes Reinagel | Head Video Coordinator |
| Isaiah Taveras | Player Development and Video |
| Jake Harrell | Player Development and Video |
| Ron Trapps | Player Development and Video |
