Interim Tag Removed As Stitt Is Named WSSU Head Coach

Winston-Salem, NC - After leading the Winston-Salem State University Rams men's basketball team to their fourth consecutive 20-win season, as well as a fourth straight appearance in the Division II NCAA Tournament, the interim tag has been removed from Philip Stitt. He will remain head coach of one of the strongest programs in the country.

Carroll Smith-AllPro Photo

Philip Stitt

Stitt signed a three-year contract similar to that of head football coach Kermit Blount. The deal includes incentives for things such as conference championships, grade point averages and graduation rates.

The 2001-02 season marked Stitt's fourth season with the Rams, but his first as a head coach after taking over for the departed Rick Duckett. Blessed with a veteran laced team that included eight seniors who ended their four-year careers a combined 96-25, Stitt continued the success if his predecessor posting a 22-7 record, reaching the semi-finals of the South Atlantic Regional for the second straight season, and making it very difficult for anyone but him to lead the WSSU program in the coming years.

Stitt was one of three candidates interviewed for the position but in the end it may have been his personality off the court that convinced the committee he was their man.

"I had the opportunity to see Coach Stitt work on and off the floor prior to the interview and he's done a wonderful job," said WSSU Director of Athletics Dr. Chico Caldwell. "However, during the interview process I had a chance to see a side of him that otherwise may not have been exposed. I'm a lot more impressed with him as a person than as a coach. He's a developer as well and someone who solidifies the university's motto of, Enter to learn, depart to serve."

Coach Stitt's collegiate coaching career began in 1991 as assistant at Florida Community College at Jacksonville. After spending three seasons with the stars, he moved on to Division I Jacksonville University before making his way to Fayetteville State in 1997. A Jacksonville, Florida native, Coach Stitt earned his B.A. in health, physical education and recreation in 1991 from Brewton-Parker College where he was a member of two mid-Florida conference championship teams, earning the "Best Hustler" award in 1990 and the "Most Improved Player" award in 1989. The 34-year old Stitt is married to Joyce L. Stitt.