WMU News

Pittman is new football offensive line coach

May 7, 1999

KALAMAZOO -- Sam Pittman, offensive line coach at the University of Oklahoma the past two seasons, will join the Western Michigan University staff in a similar capacity. Pittman, 37, replaces Dave Voth who left the Bronco staff last month to enter private business.

"Sam is an outstanding coach and a quality individual. He is well respected in the coaching field and will make a significant contribution to our offensive line," says WMU Head Coach Gary Darnell. "Sam's experience in high profile programs as a coach and recruiter brings much to our program."

While at Oklahoma, Pittman's lines produced the 18th and 34th-best rushing attacks in Division I-A during the 1997 and 1998 seasons respectively.

A native of El Reno, Okla., Pittman worked at the University of Cincinnati during the 1996 season, coaching the offensive line and tight ends. The Bearcats led Conference USA in rushing that season.

Pittman worked alongside WMU recruiting coordinator Tom Lewinski for two seasons (1994-95) at Northern Illinois University when the Huskies were members of the Big West Conference. As offensive line coach, Pittman produced seven All-Big West linemen that paved the way for two league team rushing titles. His 1995 unit finished 10th in NCAA Division I-A rushing offense and his 1994 segment 14th overall.

Pittman's coaching resume includes two seasons as head coach at Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College where he led the program to its first bowl in 23 years and its first back-to-back winning seasons in 10 campaigns. He also directed gridiron squads at Trenton (Mo.) High School (1989-90) and Princeton (Mo.) High School (1987-89).

A three-sport athlete at Grove (Okla.) High School, Pittman collected 11 varsity letters before going on to Pittsburg State in Kansas. Pittman, who lettered four seasons at defensive end (1980-83), twice earned all-league honors and was chosen to the NAIA All-America first-team as a senior. Sam was a starter on the 1981 NAIA runner-up team and earned a bachelor's degree in education. He was inducted into Pittsburg's Athletic Hall of Fame last fall.

Media contact:Daniel Jankowski, 616 387-4138; daniel.jankowski@wmich.edu


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