Women's Soccer Hires Derek Pittman As Associate Head Coach
12/15/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Dec. 15, 2009
SPOKANE, Wash. - Gonzaga University head women's soccer coach Amy Edwards has announced the hiring of Derek Pittman to serve as the Bulldogs associate head coach and goalkeeper coach. Pittman replaces Lester Melendez, who joined the Zags for the fall season on an interim basis and is now pursuing opportunities outside of athletics.
"Gonzaga Soccer is continuing to move forward by adding Derek to our coaching staff," stated Edwards. "He is a perfect fit for our staff, our players, and Gonzaga University. Not only is Derek is an incredibly talented coach but he is dedicated to excellence and wholeheartedly passionate about the development of student-athletes."
Pittman has spent the past three seasons as the head women's soccer coach at Arkansas State University, leading the Redwolves to a Sun Belt Conference tournament semi-finals appearance this past season. He also led ASU to a program best eight wins along with program season highs in points, goals, assists, shutouts, saves and GAA. Prior to his stint at ASU Pittman served as an assistant coach at the University of Missouri (2004-06) and at the University of Georgia (2003-04). Pittman helped both programs achieve season-bests in shutouts and GAA during his time with the Tigers and Bulldogs.
"First off, I want to sincerely thank Amy Edwards and athletic director Mike Roth for the opportunity to join the soccer staff here at Gonzaga University," stated Pittman. "I have a ton of respect for what Amy is doing here with the team and I am very excited to be able to contribute to the future success of this strong soccer program. My family and I are really looking forward to moving to the northwest and being a part of the Gonzaga family."
Pittman was a four-year starter in goal at the University of Tulsa, earning All-Missouri Valley Conference second team honors as a junior and later led the Hurricanes to a national ranking as a senior. Pittman graduated from Tulsa with a degree in Business Administration in 1998 and served as a graduate assistant coach for Tulsa from 2001-03. Under his direction, Tulsa's goalkeepers had career bests in saves, shutouts and goals against average in a season. During the 2002 season, the Hurricanes were ranked 12th nationally and fifth in the Midwest Region.
Pittman played professionally for the Amateur Football Club in England while studying at Lancaster University. After training with the Division I Sheffield United and Burnley Football Club, he returned to the United States and played with the Columbus Comets and the Savannah RugRatz. Pittman, who is licensed by the United States Soccer Federation with a USSF "B" coaching license, has also coached on the club level including stints with the Pride Soccer Club of Missouri, the Tulsa Soccer Club of Oklahoma and the Little Rock Futbol Club of Arkansas.
"Working previously with Derek, I have the utmost trust and respect for his ability to assist in executing my plan and vision for Gonzaga Soccer," commented Edwards. "I am thrilled to welcome Derek and his family to our Gonzaga Soccer family."
