Prep basketball news has been aplenty across Arkansas recently and it did not slow down on Tuesday.
Be sure to follow Natural State Sports on Facebook and Twitter (X) for all of the latest headlines statewide.
Veteran David Ferrell selected to lead Rogers
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported around 6 p.m. Tuesday that 34-year veteran David Ferrell is the new head coach at Rogers following a seven-year stint at The New School, where he compiled an impressive 208-32 record. In his prep coaching career, Ferrell is 724-234 and has been tabbed Conference Coach of the Year 13 times.
At West Fork where he made his mark, Ferrell won 458 games and led the Tigers to the 2011 3A State Final. Along with coaching in the prep ranks, Ferrell was head coach at the University of the Ozark from 2013-2017.
Ferrell is bringing on his son, Josh, as an assistant coach. Josh Ferrell was most recently the head coach at Lincoln and has a career record of 138-69 in six years, including taking Caddo Hills to the 2021 2A State Final and was named the 2A Coach of the Year that season.
Loyd takes over Bentonville West
Shortly after the announcement of Ferrell heading to Rogers, conference foe Bentonville West announced that Trent Loyd was leaving Pea Ridge to take over for Greg White as the Wolverines’ Coach.
One of the up-and-comers in the Arkansas Hoops coaching ranks, Loyd compiled a 225-102 record with the Blackhawks that included a 4A state runner-up finish in 2017. Loyd also won multiple Coach of the Year honors and will be on staff in Saturday’s Arkansas High School Coach’s Association All-Star Game for the West Team.
“Pea Ridge is an incredible place and we are so thankful for our time there,” Loyd mentioned in a statement on Twitter (X). “This is not a good bye, but see you later. We are excited to soon start our next chapter in this coaching profession.”
Additional stories from Tuesday
• Marcus Brown returns to West Memphis.
• Cody Wilmath selected to lead Fort Smith Northside.
(Cover photo via The New School)
Kyle Sutherland is a journalist and podcast host (Arkansas Preps Weekly) for The Natural State Sports Network. His written work has been featured in outlets including the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Best of Arkansas Sports and Hooten’s Arkansas Football. He is also the color commentator for 103.7 The Buzz’s high school football Game of the Week. Email Kyle at kyle@naturalstatesports.com.