Completed Event: Baseball versus Air Force on April 18, 2026 , Loss , 4, to, 5
Baseball
vs Air Force
L 4-5
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Panaccione return rounds out GCU coaching staff
8/26/2022 11:30:00 AM | Baseball
Former Lope, pro infielder rejoins program for 2nd stint as assistant coach
Grand Canyon's coaching staff rounded into form on Friday with the addition of former Lopes standout Paul Panaccione as an assistant coach.
Panaccione — a four-year Lopes infielder and 2016 MLB Draft pick — rejoins the coaching staff for a second stint after serving as a GCU assistant from 2019 through 2021.
"I'm unbelievably fortunate to be able to put on a Lopes uniform for the third time," Panaccione said. "And Round 3 might be the most exciting one yet. The program is as strong as it's ever been, and this place is a second home to me. The opportunity to be a part of this university means the world to me."
First-year Lopes head coach Gregg Wallis adds Panaccione to a GCU coaching staff that already includes ex-MLB shortstop Jack Wilson and pitching coach Nate Bannister.
"I feel very fortunate to add Paul Panaccione to the GCU coaching staff," Wallis said. "Paul is a tremendous coach and has great passion for the university and for the program. I can't wait to watch the impact he'll make on the field and in the clubhouse."
Panaccione spent the last year serving as the Arizona Scouting Director for Prep Baseball Report.
In his first three-year stint on the coaching staff, the Lopes went 84-54-1 overall and 47-16 in conference play. He was on the staff of GCU's first team to reach the NCAA Division I tournament in 2021.
Panaccione was a member of the GCU baseball team from 2013 to 2016, playing a key role during the Lopes' transition to Division I. Following his senior season, he was a 10th-round draft pick of the Washington Nationals and spent three seasons in the organization.
While at GCU, Panaccione appeared in 198 games and hit .309 while driving in 112 runs. During his junior year in 2015, he helped lead the Lopes to a WAC title while batting .376. He started 55 games as a freshman in 2013, when GCU reached the Division II College World Series in the season before making its jump to Division I.
Panaccione — a four-year Lopes infielder and 2016 MLB Draft pick — rejoins the coaching staff for a second stint after serving as a GCU assistant from 2019 through 2021."I'm unbelievably fortunate to be able to put on a Lopes uniform for the third time," Panaccione said. "And Round 3 might be the most exciting one yet. The program is as strong as it's ever been, and this place is a second home to me. The opportunity to be a part of this university means the world to me."
First-year Lopes head coach Gregg Wallis adds Panaccione to a GCU coaching staff that already includes ex-MLB shortstop Jack Wilson and pitching coach Nate Bannister.
"I feel very fortunate to add Paul Panaccione to the GCU coaching staff," Wallis said. "Paul is a tremendous coach and has great passion for the university and for the program. I can't wait to watch the impact he'll make on the field and in the clubhouse."
Panaccione spent the last year serving as the Arizona Scouting Director for Prep Baseball Report.
In his first three-year stint on the coaching staff, the Lopes went 84-54-1 overall and 47-16 in conference play. He was on the staff of GCU's first team to reach the NCAA Division I tournament in 2021.
Panaccione was a member of the GCU baseball team from 2013 to 2016, playing a key role during the Lopes' transition to Division I. Following his senior season, he was a 10th-round draft pick of the Washington Nationals and spent three seasons in the organization.
While at GCU, Panaccione appeared in 198 games and hit .309 while driving in 112 runs. During his junior year in 2015, he helped lead the Lopes to a WAC title while batting .376. He started 55 games as a freshman in 2013, when GCU reached the Division II College World Series in the season before making its jump to Division I.
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