- Oct 13, 2001
- 160,989
- 142,926
Update on Kevin Pittsnogle
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by DCAllAfrican,
- Start date
- May 19, 2004
- 11,234
- 185
Dude made it...
- Nov 8, 2004
- 4,946
- 548
He bowls in leagues three nights a week and occasionally plays bingo at Big Bucks Bingo
Living the dream....
- Nov 18, 2000
- 12,404
- 6,834
someone should go outside his double-wide with this poster....
- Apr 24, 2005
- 43,678
- 8,689
He couldn't get a gig overseas?
And wow, a West Virginian living in a Double-wide trailer. What a surprise.
And wow, a West Virginian living in a Double-wide trailer. What a surprise.
cbpresent
Banned
- May 20, 2007
- 445
- 10
Times must be bad. Both have fulltime jobs and they are forced to live in a trailer? That sux.
- Feb 5, 2004
- 4,104
- 12
Dude made it...
- Dec 14, 2001
- 12,426
- 2,239
ya im surprised h didnt try overseas, unless he has the mind set he only wants to play in the NBA
- Aug 1, 2007
- 1,883
- 10
- Dec 27, 2002
- 16,335
- 13
He has played overseas.
- Sep 16, 2004
- 6,782
- 1,025
There is NO WAY he shouldnt be overseas with his basketball resume.
Dude probably just doesnt enjoy playing ball
Dude probably just doesnt enjoy playing ball
- Nov 30, 2008
- 5
- 10
aye cuz why u get off sggdc
- Jun 25, 2008
- 2,714
- 10
Pittsnoggle
Mike Gansey
Herbert
Mike Gansey
Herbert
- Feb 22, 2007
- 4,172
- 10
Originally Posted by DownyBoy
someone should go outside his double-wide with this poster....
- Sep 28, 2004
- 13,924
- 5,900
maybe this is the wrong pov here but maybe he's content with life right now.. i guess people living in trailers cant be happy? although i guess thatultimately isnt your first choice for a home. who am i to judge others like that though?
- Sep 1, 2004
- 25,508
- 667
- Aug 29, 2007
- 3,603
- 11
Not that he could have done this...
But this is an example I'm talking about when I say that staying in school for 4 years doesn't mean @+$!. How can anyone criticize dudes for leavingearly when he's got millions in front of him? Anything can happen.
But this is an example I'm talking about when I say that staying in school for 4 years doesn't mean @+$!. How can anyone criticize dudes for leavingearly when he's got millions in front of him? Anything can happen.
- Aug 5, 2001
- 1,041
- 12
This is another article from The Charleston Gazette.
Still standing out
Ex-Mountaineer Pittsnogle serving as assistant at Hedgesville
When Hedgesville's boys basketball coaches hit the road to scout future opponents, they like to keep a low profile.
By Rick Ryan
Assistant Sports Editor
When Hedgesville's boys basketball coaches hit the road to scout future opponents, they like to keep a low profile.
Fat chance. Not when Kevin Pittsnogle is one of your assistant coaches.
The 6-foot-11, 260-pound former West Virginia University All-America player and resident folk hero could use his own public relations director when Eagles coach Kelly Church and his staff take in a game.
Gallery
[+] Enlarge
Courtesy photo
Former WVU basketball standout Kevin Pittsnogle (standing right), now an assistant coach at Hedgesville High School, listens as Hedgesville head coach Kelly Church instructs his team.
"We like to be as incognito as possible,'' Church said. "But when Kevin Pittsnogle's scouting, that's impossible. Everybody recognizes him right away no matter where we go. Everyone wants to talk to him. Students want his autograph. He handles it well. He understands that for the rest of his life, he is - and should be - a West Virginia icon.''
Pittsnogle, who starred during WVU's run to the NCAA tournament Elite Eight in 2005 and Sweet 16 in 2006, has taken a sabbatical from his own playing days to begin a coaching career in his native Berkeley County.
But in a twist, it's not at Martinsburg, where he forged an all-state career earlier this decade, but rather at Eastern Panhandle rival Hedgesville.
Pittsnogle secured a teaching position in special education at North Middle School in Berkeley County, and over the summer started checking into possible coaching positions at area high schools.
"I went to Martinsburg first,'' Pittsnogle said, "but Coach [Dave Rogers] didn't have nothing other than middle school. I wanted to work with high school kids, so I figured I'd go somewhere else.''
That turned out to be Hedgesville, which like Martinsburg is considered a state power in Class AAA. The Eagles (6-2) began the week ranked fifth in the state poll, three spots behind Martinsburg (7-1).
Apparently there are no hard feelings in the community about where he wound up. ("Everybody's fine with it,'' Pittsnogle said. "It's the only opportunity I had.'')
Church is certainly elated to get someone like Pittsnogle with extensive experience on the court and at an age (24) where he can still relate to high school players.
"I'm excited about the opportunity to get a West Virginia icon,'' Church said, "not to mention an All-American on our staff.
"He does a great job working with the kids. He really does help us get on the kids when it comes to study hall, lifting weights and doing things they don't necessarily want to do. Kids don't understand the importance of those things. But it makes a huge difference having somebody who's not just a good high school basketball player, but one of the best in the state and an All-American. When All-Americans talk, people tend to listen. He tells them, 'If you ever plan on playing college basketball and don't think this makes any difference, you're crazy.' We couldn't be any more pleased.''
Church said Pittsnogle has been invaluable in helping install the 1-3-1 zone defense that WVU used so effectively under coach John Beilein during Pittsnogle's days with the Mountaineers.
"He's been huge helping us with that,'' Church said.
"I've known Coach Beilein for a while - I used help at his camps in Richmond. But there's a big difference in watching practice and picking up as much as you can and getting a kid who was an instructor in it every day. We defer to him when it comes to everything involved and responsibilities with [the 1-3-1]. He critiques the kids and is tough on them about it.''
Church said there have been no hitches working with Pittsnogle because the latter had no trouble accepting a subservient role.
"Lots of people like being a high school coach on game night,'' Church said, "but don't understand all the other little things that go with it - setting up the clock at practice, getting the balls ready, washing uniforms. Not only has Kevin done everything we've asked of him, but he jumps in and does whatever he can to help. He's a tremendous team guy.''
Church said some folks still hold misconceptions about Pittsnogle because of his appearance.
"In all walks of life,'' Church said, "sometimes people are quick to judge somebody. Kevin's almost 7 feet tall - he's a giant - and has tattoos all over his arms. Sometimes people might get misconceptions or just who that makes him. He's intelligent - unbelievably intelligent - and a good, kind person. He's a huge addition to our staff not just because of what he's able to do with kids on the court, but because of the tutelage and guidance he's able to give our players with their lives, not just as basketball players.''
Of course, for Church and his other assistant coaches, that means being able to handle the instant insanity that pops up any time Pittsnogle goes out in public. Church learned the hard way last fall when he took his entire staff to a WVU home football game.
"We try to do things together before the season starts not involving basketball,'' Church said, "to have camaraderie and to come together as a staff. Well, I found out quickly that taking Kevin Pittsnogle to a West Virginia football game is like taking Santa Claus to the mall the week before Christmas. You can't go 2 feet without someone wanting to stop and talk.''
Gallery
[+] Enlarge
Courtesy photo
Former WVU basketball standout Kevin Pittsnogle (standing right), now an assistant coach at Hedgesville High School, listens as Hedgesville head coach Kelly Church instructs his team.
Pittsnogle's reputation obviously still carries a lot of weight. Church said a reporter from the New York Times came to town last week and spent a day with Pittsnogle in preparation for an upcoming story.
"I don't have the slightest idea [why],'' Pittsnogle said, although his days of toiling at Madison Square Garden in the Big East tournament helped make him a household name.
Pittsnogle is used to the attention, and handles it the best he can, even if he's trying to do his job when besieged by autograph seekers.
"Wherever I go, everybody knows who I am,'' he said. "It's hard for me to stick around anywhere and sit back and try to watch a game. Most of the time, I'll wait until the end of the quarter or a timeout where I can get to them. I try the best I can to do what I have to do, to do what I'm supposed to do.''
He said he neither embraces nor sidesteps the fame.
"I don't really [mind] either way,'' he said. "I don't relish it, or I don't care about moving if it's there. If it's not, it's not. It doesn't really bother me. [Laid back] is pretty much my personality, and the way I go about things. I take one step, and do what comes next. It's pretty much everywhere I go.''
If Pittsnogle resurrects his own career, his days in the spotlight could be far from over.
He's bounced around in the NBA and Puerto Rican summer leagues and the NBA Development League the past few seasons, and expects to give it another go this summer. He'll see what interest crops up following the NBA draft in June.
"I'm going to play this summer,'' he said. "I don't know what team or where. Then I'll just take it from there. I don't know if I'm going to come back to teaching. I won't know much before the summer league.
"It's been a lot of fun getting back around high school [basketball]. It's a little different, a little different atmosphere.''
Church thinks Pittsnogle will make "one more run'' at a possible pro career this summer, but doubts if he'll consider playing in a European league.
"If he wanted to go back and play overseas,'' Church said, "he could make a large amount of money by saying he'll go. But I don't think he's comfortable moving his family abroad or moving apart from him family. It's a decision he has to make.''
For Pittsnogle, the laid-back homebody, the decision is apparently an easy one.
"I had an opportunity to go play [overseas],'' he said, "but I turned them down to hang out and pursue other things. It's not really good for me to get away for this year, to concentrate on other stuff. I'd rather hang out with the kids and my family.''
The guy is obviously pretty happy with where he is in life, and you've gotta give him props for that. Isn't that the ultimate goal?
- Sep 16, 2004
- 6,782
- 1,025
The guy is obviously pretty happy with where he is in life, and you've gotta give him props for that. Isn't that the ultimate goal?Originally Posted by blondsoccerplyr
This is another article from The Charleston Gazette.
Still standing out
Ex-Mountaineer Pittsnogle serving as assistant at Hedgesville
When Hedgesville's boys basketball coaches hit the road to scout future opponents, they like to keep a low profile.
By Rick Ryan
Assistant Sports Editor
When Hedgesville's boys basketball coaches hit the road to scout future opponents, they like to keep a low profile.
Fat chance. Not when Kevin Pittsnogle is one of your assistant coaches.
The 6-foot-11, 260-pound former West Virginia University All-America player and resident folk hero could use his own public relations director when Eagles coach Kelly Church and his staff take in a game.
Gallery
[+] Enlarge
Courtesy photo
Former WVU basketball standout Kevin Pittsnogle (standing right), now an assistant coach at Hedgesville High School, listens as Hedgesville head coach Kelly Church instructs his team.
"We like to be as incognito as possible,'' Church said. "But when Kevin Pittsnogle's scouting, that's impossible. Everybody recognizes him right away no matter where we go. Everyone wants to talk to him. Students want his autograph. He handles it well. He understands that for the rest of his life, he is - and should be - a West Virginia icon.''
Pittsnogle, who starred during WVU's run to the NCAA tournament Elite Eight in 2005 and Sweet 16 in 2006, has taken a sabbatical from his own playing days to begin a coaching career in his native Berkeley County.
But in a twist, it's not at Martinsburg, where he forged an all-state career earlier this decade, but rather at Eastern Panhandle rival Hedgesville.
Pittsnogle secured a teaching position in special education at North Middle School in Berkeley County, and over the summer started checking into possible coaching positions at area high schools.
"I went to Martinsburg first,'' Pittsnogle said, "but Coach [Dave Rogers] didn't have nothing other than middle school. I wanted to work with high school kids, so I figured I'd go somewhere else.''
That turned out to be Hedgesville, which like Martinsburg is considered a state power in Class AAA. The Eagles (6-2) began the week ranked fifth in the state poll, three spots behind Martinsburg (7-1).
Apparently there are no hard feelings in the community about where he wound up. ("Everybody's fine with it,'' Pittsnogle said. "It's the only opportunity I had.'')
Church is certainly elated to get someone like Pittsnogle with extensive experience on the court and at an age (24) where he can still relate to high school players.
"I'm excited about the opportunity to get a West Virginia icon,'' Church said, "not to mention an All-American on our staff.
"He does a great job working with the kids. He really does help us get on the kids when it comes to study hall, lifting weights and doing things they don't necessarily want to do. Kids don't understand the importance of those things. But it makes a huge difference having somebody who's not just a good high school basketball player, but one of the best in the state and an All-American. When All-Americans talk, people tend to listen. He tells them, 'If you ever plan on playing college basketball and don't think this makes any difference, you're crazy.' We couldn't be any more pleased.''
Church said Pittsnogle has been invaluable in helping install the 1-3-1 zone defense that WVU used so effectively under coach John Beilein during Pittsnogle's days with the Mountaineers.
"He's been huge helping us with that,'' Church said.
"I've known Coach Beilein for a while - I used help at his camps in Richmond. But there's a big difference in watching practice and picking up as much as you can and getting a kid who was an instructor in it every day. We defer to him when it comes to everything involved and responsibilities with [the 1-3-1]. He critiques the kids and is tough on them about it.''
Church said there have been no hitches working with Pittsnogle because the latter had no trouble accepting a subservient role.
"Lots of people like being a high school coach on game night,'' Church said, "but don't understand all the other little things that go with it - setting up the clock at practice, getting the balls ready, washing uniforms. Not only has Kevin done everything we've asked of him, but he jumps in and does whatever he can to help. He's a tremendous team guy.''
Church said some folks still hold misconceptions about Pittsnogle because of his appearance.
"In all walks of life,'' Church said, "sometimes people are quick to judge somebody. Kevin's almost 7 feet tall - he's a giant - and has tattoos all over his arms. Sometimes people might get misconceptions or just who that makes him. He's intelligent - unbelievably intelligent - and a good, kind person. He's a huge addition to our staff not just because of what he's able to do with kids on the court, but because of the tutelage and guidance he's able to give our players with their lives, not just as basketball players.''
Of course, for Church and his other assistant coaches, that means being able to handle the instant insanity that pops up any time Pittsnogle goes out in public. Church learned the hard way last fall when he took his entire staff to a WVU home football game.
"We try to do things together before the season starts not involving basketball,'' Church said, "to have camaraderie and to come together as a staff. Well, I found out quickly that taking Kevin Pittsnogle to a West Virginia football game is like taking Santa Claus to the mall the week before Christmas. You can't go 2 feet without someone wanting to stop and talk.''
Gallery
[+] Enlarge
Courtesy photo
Former WVU basketball standout Kevin Pittsnogle (standing right), now an assistant coach at Hedgesville High School, listens as Hedgesville head coach Kelly Church instructs his team.
Pittsnogle's reputation obviously still carries a lot of weight. Church said a reporter from the New York Times came to town last week and spent a day with Pittsnogle in preparation for an upcoming story.
"I don't have the slightest idea [why],'' Pittsnogle said, although his days of toiling at Madison Square Garden in the Big East tournament helped make him a household name.
Pittsnogle is used to the attention, and handles it the best he can, even if he's trying to do his job when besieged by autograph seekers.
"Wherever I go, everybody knows who I am,'' he said. "It's hard for me to stick around anywhere and sit back and try to watch a game. Most of the time, I'll wait until the end of the quarter or a timeout where I can get to them. I try the best I can to do what I have to do, to do what I'm supposed to do.''
He said he neither embraces nor sidesteps the fame.
"I don't really [mind] either way,'' he said. "I don't relish it, or I don't care about moving if it's there. If it's not, it's not. It doesn't really bother me. [Laid back] is pretty much my personality, and the way I go about things. I take one step, and do what comes next. It's pretty much everywhere I go.''
If Pittsnogle resurrects his own career, his days in the spotlight could be far from over.
He's bounced around in the NBA and Puerto Rican summer leagues and the NBA Development League the past few seasons, and expects to give it another go this summer. He'll see what interest crops up following the NBA draft in June.
"I'm going to play this summer,'' he said. "I don't know what team or where. Then I'll just take it from there. I don't know if I'm going to come back to teaching. I won't know much before the summer league.
"It's been a lot of fun getting back around high school [basketball]. It's a little different, a little different atmosphere.''
Church thinks Pittsnogle will make "one more run'' at a possible pro career this summer, but doubts if he'll consider playing in a European league.
"If he wanted to go back and play overseas,'' Church said, "he could make a large amount of money by saying he'll go. But I don't think he's comfortable moving his family abroad or moving apart from him family. It's a decision he has to make.''
For Pittsnogle, the laid-back homebody, the decision is apparently an easy one.
"I had an opportunity to go play [overseas],'' he said, "but I turned them down to hang out and pursue other things. It's not really good for me to get away for this year, to concentrate on other stuff. I'd rather hang out with the kids and my family.''
Do you REALLY believe that the Ultimate Goal of a D1 college basketball player is to be a teacher?
He might be happy now but during college im 100% sure his ultimate goal was to make millions in the NBA. Hes content but he didnt reach his ultimate goal.
- Jul 10, 2005
- 2,920
- 10
I feel pretty bad for the dude.. Anyways, he'd be a serviceable NBA player (something like a Matt Bonner or Brian Scalabrine) and definitely could playoverseas.. Had a pretty good shot from what I remember..
- Nov 22, 2002
- 11,629
- 62
exactly, he knows where he's at and where he wants to be in 5, 10 yrs +.
he's not physically gifted, other than god given height, so the training must have been gruelsome especially when frustration sets in being in the NBDL,adjusting to foreign enviroments.
he's just not cut out for a pro basketball player career.
why can't someone be a successful high school basketball coach? you gotta start somewhere.
being in the NBA isn't everything, nor does it guarantee you success outside of basketball, ask J.R. Rider.
that being said
he's not physically gifted, other than god given height, so the training must have been gruelsome especially when frustration sets in being in the NBDL,adjusting to foreign enviroments.
he's just not cut out for a pro basketball player career.
why can't someone be a successful high school basketball coach? you gotta start somewhere.
being in the NBA isn't everything, nor does it guarantee you success outside of basketball, ask J.R. Rider.
that being said
He couldn't get a gig overseas?
And wow, a West Virginian living in a Double-wide trailer. What a surprise.
- Jan 20, 2002
- 54,329
- 31,895
did he give up on his dreams? or is he content?
im pretty sure he can still make more money playing ball.
im pretty sure he can still make more money playing ball.
- Sep 19, 2003
- 2,582
- 18
Pittsnogle can ball....He's wasting away. I'd be on a red eye flight to Greece or Spain to ball. The family will be fine, send them an envelope ofmoney every month and tell them you'll see em in the off season.
