Rob Pannell has solidified his status as one of the greatest attackmen in lacrosse history. He is a member of the exclusive 600-point club. He is just six assists shy of Ryan Boyle’s all-time record. He is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer. 

But he remains hungry for more. 

“I have learned over the course of my career that winning always solves everything,” Pannell said. “When you are winning games and having fun, a lot of great things seem to come along with that. Winning is always the focus, and winning a championship is always the focus as well. For me, at this point in my career, it is more of a focus than it has ever been.”

With that perspective in mind, Pannell decided to sign with the Maryland Whipsnakes in the 2025 player movement window after a four-year stint with the California Redwoods. 

“Winning a championship is at the front of my mind,” he said. “I wanted to put myself in what I think is the best position to win one.”

The Redwoods failed to advance past the semifinals in any of Pannell’s four seasons and missed the playoffs entirely in 2024. While he considered a return to California, he was drawn to the Whipsnakes’ championship potential after watching Jim Stagnitta’s squad reach the Cash App Championship last season. 

“By the time I made my decision, I was either going to go to the Whipsnakes or stay with the Redwoods, and obviously I decided that making a change was the best decision for me at this time,” said Pannell, who finished tied for 10th in the PLL in points in 2024 (15G, 15A). “I think it came down to knowing that if I didn't make a change from the Redwoods, and we didn't improve there, would I regret my decision? I would rather live with the fact that I took a chance to try and win that championship.”

He added: “Knowing the success (the Whipsnakes) had last year having made it to the Championship, and some of the core group of guys on that team that have won championships and played in championships in the PLL.”

Pannell emphasized the significance of having players with postseason experience on Maryland’s roster, which influenced his decision to agree to a two-year contract at 35 years old, securing his position with the Whipsnakes through 2026. 

“I told myself if I am going to make a change in teams I'm going to give that team two years. When you are going to go to a new team, you want to give it time,” Pannell said. “You don’t want to say you are going to make a change for one year and change things again after that, or be done. It's a big commitment to leave a team that you have been with and had so many relationships, and it takes time to build relationships and build that chemistry on the team that you are going to.”

Relationships take time to build, but luckily, Pannell is familiar with many of Maryland's roster members, including fellow attackman Matt Rambo. 

“Matt Rambo is a guy that I have played against for a while. We played on Team USA and won a world championship together,” Pannell said. “Matt is one of those guys where you smile every time you are around him, he's a great teammate and has become a great leader. To be able to play consistently with a guy like that is obviously great.”

Pannell is also grateful to share a locker room with three-time Defensive Player of the Year (2018, 2020, 2024) Matt Dunn, who has been a frequent opponent throughout his career. 

“Matt Dunn, I have been going against my career, he's covered me since the time he came into this league and I have a tremendous respect for Matt and his abilities on the field,” Pannell said. “I'm excited to be on the same side as him rather than going against him moving forward.”

While Maryland is full of veterans, Pannell will have the opportunity to mentor some of the younger Whipsnakes stars, such as TJ Malone, the reigning Rookie of the Year.

“I would love to be a mentor as much as these guys want me to,” said Pannell, who was the MLL Rookie of the Year in 2013. “I will be around them a lot and I would love to share as much with them about what has allowed me to play at a high level for a long period of time, and hope that they have the same aspirations. I think I could certainly help them get to new levels and increase their longevity in this game. 

“It's always fun to be around those young guys, one for that reason, and two they keep you young and on your toes. I am definitely looking forward to being around a guy like TJ.”

Even though Pannell and Malone have yet to play together in the same uniform, they have shared a coach. Penn State head coach Jeff Tambroni led the Nittany Lions throughout Malone's collegiate career and coached Pannell when he was a star at Cornell. 

“You look at a guy like TJ Malone who is a young rookie going into his second year and we both played for Coach Tambroni so we have that in common,” Pannell said. “I think that things come full circle to both have been mentored and coached by Coach Tambroni, so for us to be playing together is pretty fun.”

Pannell and Malone will share the guidance of another decorated coach this season: Stagnitta.

“Coach Stags and I have had some great conversations over the past few weeks, and I told him I am willing to play wherever is needed of me to help this team win games, and ultimately get to the playoffs and compete for a championship,” Pannell said. “Whether that's playing attack, or coming out of the box, or a defensive middie, I am open to playing whatever role is necessary. It will be fun for me to play a different role in this point in my career and maybe showcase some skills that I have that maybe haven't shown up until this point.”

Stagnitta echoed this, emphasizing Pannell's ability to be a flexible offensive player for the Whips who could slot in at attack or in the midfield. 

“He's a good feeder from anywhere and dodger, and for the first time in a while, we have some off-ball guys and some guys that can cut and play in a two-man game," Stagnitta said. "So it gives us a lot of options to do whatever it takes to be successful."

Pannell’s arrival also provides Maryland with more flexibility in the 2025 College Draft, potentially enabling them to focus on a defensive standout, given the wealth of talent already present in the Whipsnakes' offense. He joins an impressive roster that includes Malone, Rambo, Ryan Conrad, Colin Heacock and Brad Smith, who made his return to the Whips during the Lexus Championship Series after being sidelined for more than 500 days due to injury. 

“(Pannell) is a talented guy who can do an awful lot, and we felt like that was something that would be a great addition in a lot of ways as far as the attack and midfield,” Stagnitta said. “He adds some depth and allows us to do some things that we need to do in the draft. He is willing to do anything, which gives us some flexibility.”

Regardless of where he plays, Pannell will enhance an already star-studded offense. The Whipsnakes hope he is the missing piece in their championship puzzle. 

“I'm most excited to have an opportunity with the Whipsnakes to pursue that championship,” Pannell said, “and I am grateful that Coach Stags has given me that opportunity.”