Hurricanes Name New Head Football Coach

Aaron Pitts has been named the new football coach for the Jasper County-Monticello Hurricanes.

He will also teach physical education, beginning March 1 this year.

Coach Pitts comes to Monticello most recently from Blackmon High School, where he served as Defensive Coordinator. During his career, which spans 15 years, he has served in both roles as Offensive and Defensive Coordinator, with experience as a Head Football Coach.

During his career, he has coached collegiate and NFL athletes. Some of the most notable players include the former University of Alabama All-American and former New England Patriot Donta Hightower and current Ohio State Running Back Master Teague.

Coach Pitts remembers the excitement of Friday night lights from his high school days, when he was a member of the state champion team in high school. He said he plans to make football fun, again, here too. Coach Pitts believes in educating the whole child, and in addition to being good in football, he wants the students to have a great high school experience. He wants to teach them how to be better husbands, fathers, and citizens. He said he wants to prepare his students and players for the future. And, he says, you get out of it what you put into it!

Coach Pitts played running back and defensive back in high school, then played at a community college before playing two years at Middle Tennessee State University.

Coach Pitts made the four and a half hour drive on icy roads Sunday to be in Monticello and meet with officials and others on Monday. His original trip found him interviewed by Supt. Kenny Garland with some 25 stake holders/community members and school officials in the audience. He was back for a second interview with a few less spectators.

Having been both offensive and defensive coordinator, as well as a stint as head coach, I asked him which he preferred—offense or defense. He said he prefers to win. He went on to say that offense is fun, but defense wins games. He said his goal is for good sound football.

Pitts began his teaching and coaching career in 2006 as an Assistant Coach at Mount Juliet High School in Tennessee. After one year, he became the Offensive Coordinator at Marshall County High School. In 2011, he became the Head Football Coach at Marshall County where he remained for three years. He stepped down as Head Coach in 2014 to spend more time with family but in 2015 became Offensive Coordinator/Assistant Principal at Cornersville High School.

During three seasons at Cornersville, he orchestrated a high-power offense which propelled the school to the Class 1-A state championship game in 2017. From Cornersville, Pitts then moved to Blackmon where he has served as both Offensive and Defensive Coordinator.

Coach Pitts holds an Ed. S. in Supervision and Administration, a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and Bachelors in Physical Education. He received all three degrees from Middle Tennessee State University.

Coach Pitts’ wife, Esther, is a medical coding specialist, and typically works from home. They have four children, Elijah, 15; Ezra and Aaron, 11, and Alex, 5.

He said that home is only about 35 mintues south of Nashville, and they go into the big city frequently for dining and entertainment.

He talked about what a beautiful place Nashville is, with the homes of the country music stars and the music which can be heard throughout town.

Coach Pitts talked about the need to build relationships and have a good rapport with the youth. He said there is going to be a lot of excitement on Friday nights. He wants the football stadium to be the go-to place on Friday nights for the whole community.

Superintendent Kenny Garland announced the hire on Monday as the new coach was in town getting started on becoming familiar with the community.

“Coach Pitts impressed everyone during our interview with his vision for student success both on and off the playing field. His passion for success, knowledge of football, and successful experience in a rural community (Cornersville) make Coach Pitts a good fit for our school system. I am looking forward to working with him as he becomes the leader of our football program.”

Principal Buddy Cain stated, “JCHS is looking forward to Coach Pitts and the excitement that he is bringing to Hurricane Football and the entire school. He brings a variety of experiences that will be a positive influence to our community.”

Coach Pitts was one of 71 applicants for the position.