Eddie Pennington was named the first head coach in the history of the Tusculum University men’s volleyball program on Dec. 3, 2018. Men’s volleyball was introduced as Tusculum’s 22^nd sport in the fall of 2018 and began competition during the 2019-2020 academic year.

Pennington led the Pioneers to a 5-13 record, including 2-6 in Independent Volleyball Association (IVA) play. TU won bronze in their second IVA appearance, defeating Limestone in the consolation match for the first time in program history. Sophomore Caleb Slater was named to the all-tournament team. After an impressive collegiate debut, libero Taylor Phillips earned Off the Block National Freshman of the Week. Pennington also graduated his first student-athlete, Peter Stewart, while a trio garnered Division II Athletic Directors Association (D2 ADA) Academic Achievement Awards: Arthur Amorim, Shaun Kampshoff, and Stewart. Freshman Dane Loup shattered the program's hitting percentage record in TU's first postseason victory. Against Alderson Broaddus, Loup hit .727 with eight kills on 11 swings. Personally, Pennington was a featured speaker at the 2020 AVCA Virtual Convention and was one of three panelists in an educational session entitled "What I Wish I Knew in My First Head Coaching Role - Part 2", presented by the Diversity Development Team.

In the first season of play, the Pioneers finished with a 5-14 mark, with the program's first win coming at home against Urbana on Jan. 11. Tusculum swept the season-series against the Blue Knights, as well as Bluefield College. The remaining win was on Valentine's Day at Alderson Broaddus. Jaret Knight collected the first national honor for the Pennington-led squad, Off the Block National Defensive Player of the Night, after a program-best 15-dig outing at Lees-McRae (Feb. 18). One week later, Matteo Miselli brought in Off the Block National Freshman of the Week thanks to two matches with a program-record 25 kills. The outside hitter also racked up three postseason honors: Off the Block/Frisco Mo All-Independent Team, Off the Block/Frisco Mo Independent Teams Freshman of the Year, and Off the Block Freshmen All-American Team. Nationally, Pennington's team finished 13th in opponent hitting percentage (.223) and 23rd in service aces per set (1.35).

Pennington brings an impressive resume which includes coaching experience at both the NCAA Division I and II levels including the past two years on the staff at D-I Butler University.  In his first season at the Indianapolis school, he helped the Bulldogs to a 23-8 record and advanced to the 2017 Big East Conference Tournament, Butler’s first postseason appearance since 2013.  He mentored three All-Big East performers including two that garnered AVCA All-Region honors.

The Denver, Colorado native also spent two years (2015 & 2016) on the staff at the University of Illinois Springfield and also served as the head coach of the Springfield Elite VBC.

Before coaching, Pennington graduated from Belmont Abbey College in 2015. While at Belmont Abbey, he was a two-year captain for the men's volleyball program and a student assistant for the women's program. He also served as head coach for Lake Norman Volleyball Club and assistant coach for the varsity program at South Point High School in Belmont, North Carolina.

Prior to his collegiate playing career, Pennington coached a U15 team at the Colorado Volleyball Association. While at the CVA, his team earned a bronze medal at the Colorado Crossroads National Qualifier and placed 13th at Junior Nationals. Pennington was also an assistant varsity coach for the men's and women's volleyball program at Bishop Machebeuf High School in Denver, Colorado, helping the men's team to a 24-2 record and a state championship in 2010.

He has worked numerous volleyball camps throughout the country including Butler University, the University of Illinois, College of Charleston, University of Tennessee, North Carolina State University and the University of Alabama Birmingham.