Bethel Local Schools is thrilled to announce the appointment of Coach Steve Pittman as the new Head Boys Basketball Coach pending board approval on Monday evening. With an impressive background that includes 30+ years of playing and coaching experience and a passion for developing young athletes, Coach Pittman is poised to lead the boys program back to the heights it is accustomed to seeing.
As an honorable mention Adidas All-American and McDonald’s All-American Nominee while at Beavercreek High School, a 3-year varsity starter and team captain his senior year at the University of Dayton under coaching legend, Don Donoher, a professional stint in Cyprus as a player and coach, and numerous years of coaching at various levels of high school and AAU, Coach Pittman brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and unique connections in the basketball community to his role at Bethel to serve our student athletes.
Most notably during his coaching career, Coach Pittman has earned District 15 Assistant Coach of the year 4 times as Varsity Assistant at Thurgood Marshall, leading the Cougars to a 2011 DII State Runner-up and 2014 State Final 4 appearance, served as the head coach at Ponitz High School and then at his alma mater, Beavercreek, where he earned GWOC Coach of the Year in the 2019-2020 season.
“Throughout the interview process, Coach Pittman steadily rose to the top of a very deep and talented pool of candidates,” says Director of Athletics, Damon Smith. “In a program that needs stability and experienced guidance to compliment our young and extremely talented athletes, his dedication to player development at the varsity level and down through the ranks to our youth program, his focus on increasing athletes’ basketball IQ, and his ability to inspire and motivate his players to reach their full potential on the court and in the classroom, he gave our committee and student-athletes the confidence that he is the leader we need to move us forward into a new era of Bethel basketball.”
Under Coach Pittman’s leadership, Bethel High School basketball is expected to rekindle its tradition of excellence. His vision for the program includes a strong emphasis on skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Coach Pittman is excited to work with a talented group of athletes that return nearly their entire varsity squad from last season and is committed to creating a positive and competitive environment where athletes can thrive.
“It is hard to put into words what this opportunity to lead Bethel’s Boys Basketball program means. It gives me a chance to do something that I am incredibly passionate about; teaching the game of basketball, and mentoring young men,” says Coach Pittman. “I am thrilled for the possibility of what this group can accomplish. Bethel has a rich tradition in athletics and it is an honor and privilege to be a part of the Bethel family. Go Bees!”
Along with Coach Pittman will come his son, Malcolm, as varsity assistant. Malcolm is a 2012 graduate of Wayne High School where he played basketball for Travis Trice, went on to play basketball at Wilmington College and has been on staff with his father for a number of years in an assistant role. Malcolm will add yet another layer of talent and experience to the staff that will benefit all of our student athletes.
Please join us in welcoming Coach Steve Pittman to Bethel High School. The entire Bethel Local Schools community is eagerly anticipating an exciting new era for the basketball program under his leadership!