Union County High School basketball coach Joe Pitt, who's among the few coaches in the state to record 500 career wins, is being forced to step down after 22 seasons at the school as a result of district budget cuts.
Pitt says he was informed of the move by phone this past weekend. He says he's disappointed but understands the situation due to the economic times.
As a public school employee in the state for nearly 40 years, Pitt long ago reached retirement status. As a result, he was paid his full teacher's salary (he teaches biology) as well as being allowed to also draw from the state retirement fund.
UCHS athletic director Mike Massey says the school board determined that letting go of Pitt and several others within the district who work under the same "at will" status was the best course to take at this time due to budget constraints.
Pitt's record of 522-350 in 33 seasons as a high school coach places him among the top 10 in wins all-time in the Palmetto State.
He began his head coaching career at his alma mater, Ware Shoals, guiding the Hornets for 11 seasons before arriving at Union County (then known as Union High School) in 1988. His Yellow Jackets won AAA upper state championships in 2001 and 2002, falling to Keenan and Myrtle Beach, respectively, in state title games those seasons.
This past season, UCHS went 11-13 with a roster laden with underclassmen. Pitt says he'd hoped to return for one more season. Massey indicates that he would have been welcomed back had the budget issues not arisen.
Pitt, 57, says he's already received three job offers in coaching but he's not sure what path he'll take at this time.
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