Pittman leading Wildcats after assisting Rams
By CHRIS WHITE
cwhite@ledger-enquirer.com
As Albany State’s offensive coordinator, Donald Pittman made his reputation in the Fountain City Classic, where he won six of his seven years in the position.
Pittman returns Saturday to A.J. McClung Memorial Stadium with a new title and a new goal: to notch a win for Fort Valley State (6-4, 5-3 SIAC) as the Wildcats’ head coach.
Pittman did not attend an interview session Tuesday in Columbus because of a death in the family, but it was no secret his new position is expected to shake up any sense of complacency six consecutive series wins may have given Albany State (8-1, 7-1).
“(Pittman) is a great coach, and we had seven great years with him and had winning seasons in every one of them,” Albany State head coach Mike White said. “We know him and how good he is as a coach, so we know he’s going to make this a tough game for us. I know he’ll be ready for us, so we’re worrying about being ready for him.”
Pittman was announced as the Wildcats’ new coach in December, but selling himself to the team proved to be a bit more difficult than just getting the job.
“It took everyone a little bit of time to buy in,” offensive lineman Collin Cordell said. “Not everybody liked what he was doing at first. But he kept showing us how to do things right, and everyone finally got it.”
After he won the team’s trust, Pittman implemented a new practice culture. Gone were the days of settling for a clean play, according to Cordelle. Now, things must be flawless.
“He’s a big rep guy,” Cordelle said of Pittman. “He makes us work at things real hard every day — lots and lots of reps. If something’s not perfect, we go through it again and again until it is. He has us do a lot of walkthroughs of everything.”
Cordelle notes the team’s offensive statistics are “better from bottom to top.” The Wildcats enter the Fountain City Classic leading the SIAC in total offense (346 yards per game), passing yards per game (224) and second behind Albany State in points per game (29.1).
“(Pittman) brings a lot of knowledge to our offensive side of the ball,” Fort Valley State assistant Vernon Dean said. “With him, we know he can do it because he’s had great offenses at Albany State, and we know he always comes prepared for whoever he’s playing that week.”
Fort Valley’s head coaching position has seen high turnover since 1996, when longtime coach Doug Porter stepped down. Kent Schoolfield Sr. took over but was released in early 2003. Then came John Morgan, who was let go in May 2006 and replaced by Deondri Clark, who stepped down in December. But with the Wildcats feeling positive about their direction, all Pittman needs is time, said senior defensive lineman Sergio Pengel.
“I think he’s really starting to get this program back in the right direction,” Pengel said. “It seems like we get a new head coach every three years, and they leave before they get a chance to get the program where it should be. (Pittman) has already made a change, and he’s trying hard to keep us moving, and hopefully he’ll get his chance.”
Chris White, 706-571-8571
E-Mail
Print
@Nyx.CommentBody@