Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – Jan. 16, 2025 – Arkansas State head football coach Butch Jones announced Thursday that Rashad Pittman has been named the Red Wolves’ defensive line coach.

“Rashad Pittman has a track record of developing defensive linemen into all-conference and All-America performers who have contributed to successful college programs at multiple levels,” said Jones.  “He helped lead Northwest Mississippi Community College to a national championship and has been part of coaching staffs that won numerous conference titles, working with defensive fronts that have consistently performed at a high level.  Rashad is a great addition to our staff, and we want to welcome him, his wife Allison and their sons, Rashad, Jr. and Alec, to our Red Wolves football family.”

Pittman comes to Jonesboro after serving in that same role at Northwest Mississippi Community College the past five seasons. Pittman helped the Rangers to a national title in 2020, three conference championships (2020, 2021, 2024), three division crowns (2020, 2022, 2024) and a combined 42-10 record, including 22-2 in MACCC North play.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity that Coach Jones has given me to join this staff,” said Pittman. “I believe in what we are building here at A-State and can’t wait to continue to positively impact the lives of our student-athletes. This is a great time to be at Arkansas State and my family is blessed to be in Jonesboro.”

In 2024, Pittman coached a defensive front that featured three First Team All-MACCC North Division performers and two ALL-NJCAA Region 23 selections. D.J. Burgess earned Honorable Mention NJCAA All-America for the second consecutive season under the guidance of Pittman. The Rangers defense allowed just 106.2 rush yards per game and totaled 31 sacks, 77 tackles for loss and 39 quarterback hurries.

Pittman helped Northwest Mississippi CC limit opponents to just 93.7 rush yards per game in 2023, good for seventh nationally among NJCAA programs. In 2022, the Rangers racked up 34 sacks, 17 interceptions and held opponents to 20.4 points per game. Pittman guided the 2021 defensive line to a top five national ranking for fewest yards allowed per game at 243.7 yards, only 87.2 of those coming on the ground.

Pittman arrived at Northwest Mississippi CC after a two-year stint as defensive line coach at Southern Arkansas. Under Pittman’s direction, the Muleriders ranked as one of the top three defensive units for rushing defense, sacks and total defense. He coordinated the rushing, third down and red zone defensive play-calling, producing five All-Great American Conference performers and two NCAA All-America picks.

Prior to his time at SAU, Pittman worked at Northeastern State as the Riverhawks’ defensive line coach. He guided a defensive line unit that totaled 48.5 tackles for loss, including 14 sacks.

Before his stint with the Riverhawks, Pittman spent the 2016 season as the Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Ends Coach at Carthage (Mo.) High School, following a previous stretch as defensive line coach from 2011-13. Pittman helped Carthage win its first conference championship since 1987 and appear in the Class 5A Missouri State quarterfinals.

Pittman spent two seasons at Division II powerhouse Pittsburg State during the 2014 and 2015 seasons. In his initial season with the Gorillas, Pittman served as a graduate assistant with the interior offensive linemen and helped the offense lead the league in total offense and first downs. The 2014 squad was also co-champions of the MIAA. In 2015, Pittman served as a defensive graduate assistant and coached the defensive tackles. The unit finished with 33 sacks, 22 of which were attributed to the defensive line.

As a player, Pittman was an All-MIAA performer at Pittsburg State, two-time captain and four-year letterman. Additionally, he received the Ronald Moore team award, presented to the most outstanding freshman.

A native of Tulsa, Okla., Pittman graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 2005. In his time as a prep player, he played for two state championships and served as a team captain. He was selected an All-District Performer and was voted Co-District Offensive Lineman of the Year.

Pittman earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Pittsburg State. He and his wife, Allison, have two children, Rashad, Jr., and Alec.

Coaching History:

  • 2020-24               Northwest Mississippi CC – Defensive Line
  • 2018-19               Southern Arkansas – Defensive Line
  • 2017                     Northeastern State – Defensive Line
  • 2016                     Carthage (Mo.) HS – Co-Defensive Coordinator / Defensive Ends
  • 2014-15               Pittsburg State – Graduate Assistant
  • 2011-13               Carthage (Mo.) HS – Defensive Line