UPDATE: The Half Hollow Hills East football team had their meeting with Joe Pennacchio, according to Deana and Mike Lykos, and it doesn't look as if the school has any intention of bringing Pitman back.
Superintendent Sheldon Karnilow stated that the search for a new coach would commence in the spring, and not in July as first believed. He added that the school would maintain the weight-training programs that Pitman championed and that the administration wanted only the best for the team.
Also, some news, straight from Susan Burgazzoli, head of the HHHE boosters: The team will be holding another protest in front of the HHHE central office at 2:15 p.m. on Jan. 7 - right before a Board of Education meeting. They expect a large turnout.
Half Hollow Hills East declined to bring back three-year football coach David Pitman last Thursday and his players are none too happy about it.
Pitman, whose record last year was a bleak 1-7, has nonetheless inspired some fervent admiration at HHHE. As of last week, students began to circulate a petition (hundreds of names strong after one day), made T-shirts, and planned a rally and possible visit to the superintendent - all geared at getting Pitman back to his post, said Deana Lykos, sister to wide receiver/cornerback Mike Lykos.
“My brother and his teammates were upset that a coach they want to play for was fired,” Lykos said. “They love playing for him.”
Pitman confirmed that he was fired but declined to elaborate, saying that he taught social studies at Half Hollow Hills and didn't wish to cross the administration. Athletic director Joe Pennachio declined to comment and after-hours phone calls to the school were unanswered.
“I put all I had into trying to build a program,” Pitman said, adding that he wished he could continue. The support, he said, “really is overwhelming.”
“I have the utmost respect for these kids.”
Comments (9)
Hypocrisy is alive and well in the Half Hollow School District Athletic Program.
Joe Pennachio, the district athletic director, has preached sportsmanship throughout his tenure. Winning should not be the ultimate goal. We should strive to compete to the best of our ability and respect your opponent, fans, and coaches. The High School East football team, for the past three seasons, has achieved that goal.
Under coach David Pitman the young men on this team have struggled through a record of 6-19. And although the victories on the field have been few, the accomplishments off of it have been tremendous.
The dubious task of rebuilding a long neglected program was bestowed upon coach Pitman in the spring of 2005. Since that time he has created a family of players that could be the envy of any coach. The attendance at off-season workouts has more than tripled. This once haphazard group has flourished both physically and academically under his tutelage.
But now the absurdity begins, coach Pitman was fired last week. A move that reeks of impropriety. And with no replacement on the horizon, this team has been left out to dry. It appears that, to Mr. Pennachio, winning is everything.
Thanks Joe for the reality check.
Befuddled Parent In The Superficial Half Hollow Hills School District
coach Pitman desrves to keep his position . The Half Hollow Hills Administration is opening this job for a politically connected friend..Who is looking out for the players???
We played HSE the last 2 seasons, and that coach turned that sorry program into a team you had to prepare for.
Thank you Mike . I hope more outsiders would help our boys retain their coach.
Please people, There have been a lot more coaches fired then Coach Pittman, many with outstanding credentials....It started with Anne Dignam and has continued on............
Let's see the great coaches who administration couldn't get along with and we will see a pattern here. Coaches who aren't good enough to coach at Half Hollow Hills but amazingly enough are good enough to coach at the college level and/or run other high school programs with great success. The place has become a joke!
Lets look at the list
Doug Maier....outstanding lacrosse coach, went on to coach at NY Tech and C.W. Post
Kevin Hill.......great football coach,,Hofstra qb,,,very respected
Greg Toop......yes the real person who turned around the hills east football program. He actually made the playoffs
Ray Babino....Great baseball coach,super leader outstanding baseball coach.....
Jeff Koustantanou....coached football at c.w. post and Stony Brook University after his dismissal.
Peter Goldschmitt......One of the winningest soccer coaches in history. Greatest soccer coach around....let go for what reason...winning too much
Peter Barrow....-the cross country coach who was dismissed
Bobby Scwartz-the most highly regarded line coach in suffolk county
Brian Carey...one of the winningest basketball coaches in Long Island history, let go because he was too tough.....Look at what he's done all over long island.
All not coaching !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please feel free to add to this list
Let's not act surprised here!
Coach Pitman was coaching and played in college as well. His staff are also former college football players.
Pennacchio is no insistent upon bringing in quote "smashmouth" football to Half Hollow Hills with 160lb Lineman. I watched them play this year and their QB is spectacular. Almost all of nassau has gone to a pass heavy game such as Carey high school, Freeport, Garden City, and Lawrence. some old men hate change. Where did Pennacchio play/coach football?
As a senior at HHH East and a person who has attended many games,I ave witnessed that in my 4 years here, the players have become more excited about football than they ever were. When he was given a team with some talent 2 years ago we went 4-5. But even in these past couple of years, the players have at least played hard and that is all you can ask for in a team. Whoever
Pennachio(treats East as a second class citizen to west) brings in will have a hard time earing the respect required to coach in high school football.
Bring Back Pitman!
Apparently, there will be an announcement of a new head varsity coach at HSE this week.
Let's hope this decision isn't as big a blunder as the AD's first decision.
Not much chance at that as the program has been set back years, but hey, that's an executive decision on the AD's part and he better be watching his back as we are going to hold him to his decision. Can we say 8-0 for this year? Yea, right!