DAWSONVILLE — Turns out Dawson County High did not have to look too far for its next boys basketball coach.
Chestatee boys coach Chad Pittman confirmed on Tuesday that he will be taking over the Tigers program for the upcoming 2016-17 season.
"I am excited; it's a great opportunity," said Pittman, who leaves the War Eagles after two seasons in charge. "There's mixed emotions for me; Chestatee's a great place, and I have no negative words for anyone or anything regarding Chestatee. In fact if you had asked me in February-March if I was thinking about this I would have said 'no way.' "
Pittman -- who joined Chestatee after stints coaching the Duluth girls and Jackson County girls programs -- takes over from Thad Burgess, who left Dawson County for the Oconee County boys basketball position in March after 13 years with the Tigers.
"We played them twice last season, so I saw up close how good they were. Coach Burgess had done a great job, so it's not like I'm going into a rebuilding situation at all," Pittman said. "They have plenty of talent coming back, and the players are committed and work hard and are comfortable taking coaching. And the more I learn about the program, the more I see how much it means to people in the community."
Dawson County went 13-13 in the 2015-16 season and graduated no players from that squad. Burgess' teams made nine state playoff appearances, reaching the 2012 Class AA quarterfinals. Dawson County will compete in an altered Region 7-AAA next season, one that includes East Hall, Fannin County, Greater Atlanta Christian, Lumpkin County, North Hall and Union County.
"There's a lot of quality teams and quality coaches in that region, so it's going to be a challenge," Pittman said. "But that's the way I like it."
Chestatee, meanwhile, will immediately move forward in pursuit of filling its vacancy.
"Coach Pittman served our school and community with class and dignity over the past two years. He has begun the rebuilding process for our boys basketball program and we are thankful for his influence on the young men here at Chestatee," said War Eagles athletic director Ben Corley via press release. "We will move forward with the process of finding the right fit for our school that will propel our basketball team forward in a positive direction."
"We appreciate the service that coach Pittman has given our basketball program," noted Chestatee High Principal Suzanne Jarrard. "I am confident that through his influence our boys are not only better players but better young men."
