Half Hollow Hills East coach released
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.”