Pitts hired as Lincoln's defensive coordinator

Growing up in Jefferson City, Phil Pitts knows the reputation of Lincoln football.

But to Pitts, that's the past. The former Helias head football coach is only looking toward the future after being named Thursday as the Blue Tigers' defensive coordinator.

"I think they have a great plan in place for the future of Lincoln football," Pitts said Thursday. "I think coach (and athletic director John) Moseley and president (Kevin) Rome are just incredible people and they want the best for Lincoln.

"Lincoln has a wonderful vision for the future of the football program and are willing to put into it what it needs to be successful. That's an exciting thing to be a part of."

Pitts is excited to work with new head coach Steven Smith, who was hired earlier this month.

"There was interest on both sides about this position and I think this will be a good match," Pitts said. "I've talked a lot with coach Smith and I think he has a wonderful plan for the future of Lincoln football.

"We share a lot of the same ideas and I'm excited to work with him."

"My experiences at Helias, at St. Joe Central, at Missouri, they will all come together positively at Lincoln," Pitts said.

Pitts' background as a coach is on the defensive side of the ball. He hopes to use his experience at Missouri as a positive at Lincoln.

"We played some very good defense that year and I learned a lot from one of the best defensive coaches in the country in Barry Odom," Pitts said. "I'm looking forward to using some of the things I learned and build on them at Lincoln."

Andy Pitts, who was the defensive coordinator for his brother at Helias, will be joining the Lincoln defensive staff as a safeties coach.

"He's a football coach that understands Xs and Os, he's second to none when it comes to that," Phil Pitts said. "We are always on the same page, we can finish each others thoughts. and It's going to be great to work together again."

Andy Pitts is currently a graduate assistant working with defensive backs at Northwest Missouri State, which is playing in the NCAA Division II championship Saturday against North Alabama in Kansas City, Kan. In 2015, Pitts was an assistant coach at St. Thomas (Minn.), which played in the NCAA Division III championship game.

The remainder of the defensive staff is scheduled to be announced today.

Phil Pitts said one of the priorities of Lincoln's new staff is establishing a presence in the area.

"We're going to give Lincoln a more local flair than it has ever had," Pitts said. "We are going to go out in central Missouri to recruit, we're going to go all throughout Missouri to recruit.

"When that happens, we're going to get central Missouri excited about Lincoln football. The community will see a program they will recognize and follow. We're so excited to get the opportunity to get the local kids to stay home and play for Lincoln."

The recruiting process will start soon.

"We're going to get together as a staff, see what is returning, and then go out and attack the recruiting trail," Pitts said. "I'm looking forward to going out and visiting all the area schools."

While excited about his new opportunity, Thursday was a difficult day for Pitts as he had to tell his players at St. Joseph Central he was leaving.

"One of the things I try to do is build relationships, not only with the kids, but with the parents and the community," Pitts said. "To step away after just one year really hurt. But I think the kids understood that this decision is what's best for my immediate family and my extended family."

Pitts will start at his new job today.

"I love the idea of coaching in my hometown with a program that has so much potential," Pitts said. "I can't wait to give something back to Jefferson City, a community that has given so much to me."

Lincoln finished 1-10 this season.