Coaching Beyond the Court

What started as a means to fund graduate school transformed into a life-changing career for PennWest Clarion's men's basketball head coach Damien Pitts. Originally from Maryland with dreams of becoming a history professor, Pitts discovered his true calling through mentorship – a revelation that would reshape his entire career trajectory.

"I actually didn't really want to be a basketball coach at the time," Pitts recalls. But a pivotal moment with a player changed everything. The interaction with a physically imposing player who was actually intimidated by Pitts' authority revealed a deeper truth about coaching: "This is not just about basketball. Basketball is the vehicle to help mentor young men and negotiate all these things of what growing up is."

Pitts' approach to mentorship is deeply rooted in understanding emotions, particularly in young men. "Especially for young men, the easiest emotion to emote is anger, because it hides vulnerability," he explains. His coaching philosophy involves getting players into a vulnerable state where real growth can occur. "Once you get them in a vulnerable state, you learn more about their issues, how you can best help them... You have to be able to emote what you're feeling, but also have a level of control over yourself."

Through his years of coaching, Pitts has learned that effective mentorship means addressing both class and racial components of his players' experiences. He discovered the importance of understanding different perspectives and support structures. "I've had conversations with players from other teams who have struggled with certain things over the course of time... I feel like emotion and understanding emotion is super important as a coach."

Today, under Pitts' leadership, the Clarion men's basketball team isn't just achieving historic success on the court – they're developing as complete individuals. His commitment to having tough conversations, whether about playing time or personal struggles, has created an environment where students can grow beyond athletics. "As a mentor, I feel like it is my duty to engage in those kind of conversations because you can help people grow." Through his dedicated approach to mentorship, Pitts continues to make PennWest Clarion a place where students find not just athletic excellence, but also personal growth and emotional understanding.

Students seeking a transformative college experience, guided by faculty and mentors across campus who care deeply about their development as individuals, will find a welcoming and supportive environment at PennWest, exemplified by leaders like Coach Pitts.

Listen to Coach Damian Pitts' story on the Power of PennWest Podcast