The562’s coverage of Jordan Athletics is sponsored by former LBUSD superintendent Chris Steinhauser and the Timu Foundation.
The Jordan Panthers have made a big splash with their football program, bringing former NFL running back Rashaad Penny to North Long Beach as the school’s next head coach.
Penny is a legendary figure at nearby Norwalk High School, where he scored over 100 touchdowns in his career, amassed more than 6,000 yards from scrimmage, and led the Lancers to a CIF-SS title game appearance as a senior in 2013.
He has maintained a connection to football in the Long Beach area, and says it was always in his mind to be a coach one day.
“Oh, heck yeah. Especially going back into the area, coming back home,” said Penny, who was living in Vegas before moving back to Southern California. “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.”
Penny went on to a four-year career at San Diego State, where he was an All-American running back and kick returner, finishing fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting as a senior in 2017. His 2,248 rushing yards that year rank sixth all-time for a single season at the Division I level. Penny also tied for the Division I record with seven kick return touchdowns in his career.
The Seattle Seahawks drafted Penny in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, using the 27th overall pick. He played six seasons in the NFL with the Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles, appearing in his final NFL game in 2023 before injuries ended his playing career. His most prolific season was in 2021, when he ran for 749 yards on 119 carries with six rushing touchdowns. His average of 6.3 yards per carry was the best in the NFL that season.
Penny said that lessons he learned under coaches like Pete Carroll and Nick Sirianni have taught him how to be detail-oriented, and also how to teach the game.
During his football career, Penny founded the Norwalk Vikings youth football program in 2021 and served as president for three years before his parents, Robert and Desiree, took things over.
“We’re beyond excited to have Coach Penny taking over the program,” said Jordan High athletic director Josh Dozier. “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.”
Football has always been a family affair for Penny, who is not the only member of his family to play in the NFL. Older brother, Elijhaa, was a fullback for the Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants, playing from 2017-21. Elijhaa immediately went into coaching after his playing days ended, becoming the head coach at John Glenn High School in Norwalk in 2023.
Elijhaa is actually the one who called Rashaad’s attention to the Jordan vacancy, and it felt like a natural homecoming.
“He just kind of told me the process, and we went from there,” Rashaad said. “I lived in Compton before I moved to Norwalk, so I’m familiar with the area. I know a lot of guys that came out of North Long Beach throughout my high school and college days. My best friend stayed two blocks away from Jordan. So just seeing that area, the school, and all the new upgrades, it’s the best time to make it marketable … Who wouldn’t want to come play on a blue field?”
Rashaad says he will have Elijhaa, as well as his other brothers Robert and Brionne on his coaching staff, and hopes to retain some of the previous Jordan coaching staff as well.
“I think we all have the same vision and goal, and that’s to help build this program,” Penny explained. “It was kind of a no-brainer, because North Long Beach has nothing but talent. Long Beach has always had talent. I just truly believe you have to have the right staff and they have to send the right message. You have to be old school, but you also have to develop the new school way. For me, I’m 30, I’m not saying I have the most experience, but I’m embracing this challenge of being a head coach, and I’m excited.”
Penny takes over the Jordan program from Alfred Rowe, who spent one season in J-Town before stepping down in March.
