Rashad Pittman

Rashad Pittman

Rashad Pittman enters his fifth season as the Rangers' defensive line coach in 2023.

In three seasons, Pittman and the Northwest defensive staff has produced 32 players to the four-year level, including 2022 NJCAA First Team All-American Jykeveous Hibbler (NC State). Other notable four-year signees include Stephen Hall (Washington State), Sam Brumfield (Middle Tennessee State), Byron "Tank" Pearson (Ohio), Omar Pew (Louisiana Tech), Rayyan Buell (Ohio) and Nijel McGriff (Louisiana). 

In 2022, Pittman's defensive linemen were part of a defense that held opponents to 20.4 points per game, ranking 15th in the NJCAA. The Rangers also racked up 34 sacks last season, ranking 10th in the nation, and 17 interceptions, good for fifth nationally.

During his first two seasons on the Rangers' staff, Pittman's defensive line helped Northwest to a pair of MACCC titles, the 2020 National Community College Football championship and a slot in the inaugural NJCAA Division I Football Playoffs in 2021.

Pittman's defensive front posted a strong showing in 2021, as Rayyan Buell and Omar Pew garnered All-MACCC accolades. Overall, the Northwest defense ranked top five in the nation and No. 1 in the MACCC for fewest yards allowed, limiting opponents to an average of 243.7 yards per game. Only 87.2 of those yards came on the ground and the Rangers averaged 59.2 tackles a game.

In his first season, Pittman's robust defensive line posted 16 sacks and helped the Rangers' defensive unit hold opponents to a conference-low 243.7 yards per game and 13.8 points per game, both ranking top five nationally. One of the most notable players under Pittman's tutelage was the aforementioned Daniels, who led the MACCC in total sacks as a freshman.

Pittman came to Northwest after a two-year stint at the NCAA Division II level with Southern Arkansas University, where the Muleriders boasted one of the most robust defensive line units in the Great American Conference. Under Pittman's direction, the Muleriders ranked as one of the top three defensive units for rushing defense, sacks and total defense. 

Pittman specifically coordinated the rushing, third down and red zone defensive play-calling, producing five All-Great American Conference performers and two NCAA All-Americans over the previous two seasons. Pittman also helped develop Cliff Harris Award finalists DaVondrick Lison and Antonio Washington, along with the conference's runner-up in tackles-for-loss, Anthony Washington.

Prior to his time at SAU, Pittman held a stint at Northeastern State (Tahlequah, Okla.) as the RiverHawks' defensive line coach, helping guide a defensive line unit that totaled 48.5 tackles for lost yardage with 14.0 of those coming as sacks.
 
Before his stint with the RiverHawks, Pittman spent the 2016 season as the Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Ends Coach at Carthage High School in Carthage, Mo., following a previous stint as the school's defensive line coach from 2011-13. During the 2016 season, Pittman helped Carthage win its first conference championship since 1987 and appear in the Class 5A Missouri State Quarterfinal game.
 
Pittman also spent two seasons at traditional Division II powerhouse Pittsburg State University during the 2014 and 2015 season. In his initial season with the Gorillas, Pittman served as a graduate assistant with the interior offensive linemen and helped coach the 2014 offense to lead the conference in total offense and first downs. The 2014 squad also was named co-champions of the Midwest Intercollegiate Athletic Association.
 
During the 2015 season, Pittman served as a defensive graduate assistant and coached the defensive tackles. The defensive unit finished with 33 sacks that season, 22 of those were attributed to the defensive line.
 
As a player, Pittman was an All-MIAA performer at Pittsburg State and a two-time captain and a four-year letterman. Additionally, Pittman received the Ronald Moore team award, which is presented to the most outstanding freshman.

A native of Tulsa, Okla., Pittman graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 2005. In his time as a prep player, Pittman played for two state championships. Additionally, he served as a team captain, was selected as an All-District Performer and was voted Co-District Offensive Lineman of the Year.
 
Pittman earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State University. He was also inducted into the collegiate honor society, Phi Kappa Phi.
 
Pittman and his wife, Allison, have two children, Rashad, Jr. (6) and Alec (3).