Head Coach
Jacob Wonders (903-693-2050 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Jacob Wonders enters his third season as the head basketball coach at Panola College. In two seasons, Wonders' has implemented a full-court attacking style of basketball at Panola. The up-tempo Ponies have averaged over 80 points per game each season in that tenure (81.6 ppg in 2006-07 and 84.2 ppg in 2007-08). The results have been positive in Region XIV, one of the most competitive junior college leagues in the nation. Each sophomore to play for Coach Wonders at Panola has continued their educational and basketball careers at 4-year universities, including 9 student-athletes earning scholarships at the NCAA Division I level. The 33-year old Wonders came to Panola College after a three-year stint as an assistant coach at Houston Baptist University.

Wonders duties at HBU included scouting, academic monitoring, on-the-floor coaching and coordinating the Huskies recruiting efforts. In three seasons at HBU, Wonders helped the Huskies to an overall record of 77-22. Included in that stretch were three Red River Athletic Conference titles, three consecutive NAIA National Tournament berths and ranking in the Top 10 in the nation in points per game all three seasons. During the 2005-06 season, HBU finished with a record of 27-6, a No. 8 final ranking in the NAIA National Poll and the school's second Sweet Sixteen appearance in the NAIA National Tournament. The Huskies finished the season ranked 4th in field goal percentage defense and 5th in scoring offense nationally.

An eleven-year career as an assistant began at his alma mater NCAA Division I Central Michigan University. He was a student assistant with the Chippewas before graduating with a degree in sports studies.

Wonders then traveled to Beaumont, Texas as an assistant at NCAA Division I Lamar University for three seasons. In 2000, Wonders helped the Cardinals to a Southland Conference tournament championship and a berth into the NCAA Tournament. In his time at Lamar University, he also completed his master's degree in kinesiology.

During the 2000-01 season, Wonders headed west and served as an assistant coach at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho.

Wonders is no stranger to Panola College or Region XIV, as he spent one season as an assistant coach at San Jacinto College, helping the Ravens to a No. 3 final ranking NJCAA Poll and a 30-2 overall record while capturing the Texas Eastern Athletic Conference championship in 2001-02.

In 2002-03, Wonders returned to Lamar University for his second stint as an assistant for the Cardinals before heading to Houston Baptist University.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Coach Wonders resides in Carthage with his wife and young son. He is a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches.

Assistant Coach
Albert Talley (903-693-1147 | This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

A key component to Panola College men's basketball is assistant coach Albert Talley. Talley, who is entering his third season at Panola, is involved in all facets of the program including recruiting, scouting, academic monitoring and heading up the strength and conditioning program. Talley also serves as an instructor in the Physical Education Department at Panola College. Coach Talley arrived at Panola after a successful playing career at Texas Wesleyan University.

During his senior season in 2005-06, Talley was a key part of the Rams winning the NAIA National Championship. Talley was awarded the NAIA Champion of Character Award and was also one of four recipients in the nation to receive the Pattison Family Scholarship for his contributions on the court, in the classroom and in the community. During a medical red-shirt season in 2004-2005, Talley served as a student assistant coach at Texas Wesleyan—helping the Rams to a 20-12 record. In 3 of the 4 seasons Talley was at TWU, the Rams won at least 20 games. The Cleburne, Texas native was an all-district performer in basketball and baseball at Chisholm Trail Academy.

Talley earned his Bachelors degree in Exercise Science from Texas Wesleyan University in May of 2005 and is currently pursuing his Masters degree.