Jay Pittman stepped down Tuesday as head coach of Brother Martin’s football team, a sudden and unexpected move following the Crusaders’ most successful season in years.

The school also named offensive coordinator Mark Bonis head coach.

Photo by Bradley Handwerger / WWL-TV.com

Brother Martin head coach Jay Pittman disagrees with officials during a game early in the 2008 season. PIttman stepped down as Crusaders' head coach Tuesday.

Pittman cited a need to help in the family business as his reason, saying that the construction company C.R. Pittman, Inc., needed aid in following through with several contracts it recently obtained.

“My grandpa started the business,” Pittman said. “My dad is 78 and in the last two months, things have occurred and made things tough. He needs some help.”

C.R. Pittman built East and West Jefferson Stadiums as well as I-510. Additionally, the company has contracts with the Army Corps of Engineers, projects that ultimately made Pittman’s decision final.

Pittman, 45, said he spoke with the administration during the past few days and both came to an understanding that this was the best move for the head coach and the school.

He told his team Tuesday morning his decision.

“It was very difficult,” Pittman said. “It took me a lot of time. I spoke with the administration. I’m attached to the school. I’m attached to the program and I’m attached to the kids. We talk about making hard decisions all the time.”

Pittman, who took over at his alma mater in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, compiled a 20-12 record in three seasons of leading the Gentilly school.

His team captured two District 9-5A championships, including an outright one in 2008 when the Crusaders went 9-1 and 4-0 in the district. Brother Martin lost 13-7 to Central-Baton Rouge in the second round of the state playoffs this past season.

He was named Catholic League Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2008.

“Jay Pittman was our only choice to bring the Crusader football team back to prominence after the storm,” Brother Martin Athletics Director Barry Hebert said. “He compiled an excellent coaching staff who elevated the team to the top of the Catholic League.”

Pittman will remain on staff as a CECP coach, and hopes to help out when time allows. He already has helped out in one form – he had a hand in delivering the school a replacement head coach.

Bonis was Pittman’s offensive coordinator for his full three years at Brother Martin. In 2008, the offense averaged 27.4 points per game.

This isn’t the end of Pittman’s coaching career, however. The 20 year veteran of coaching said it’s in his blood and he expects sometime in the future to be back in the business.

“Coaching is what I love to do,” Pittman said. “I made a decision 20 years ago to get into coaching. I imagine myself getting back into coaching somewhere down the line.”