Question & Answer Feature With Coach Petitte
Coach Petitte Mic'ed In
Phil Petitte reunited with head coach K. C. Keeler by joining Sam Houston’s football coaching staff in February, 2014. Petitte previously worked on Keeler’s staffs at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey, and the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware.
In his first season at Sam Houston, Petitte’s defensive line played a major role in the Bearkats’ drive to an 11-5 season, the Southland Conference championship and the semifinals of the FCS playoffs. The Kats defeated three top 10 teams (Southeastern Louisiana, Jacksonville State and Villanova) on the road to Sam Houston’s third FCS semifinal appearance in the past four years.
Sam Houston ranked among the top 25 teams in the country and fourth in the Southland Conference in total defense in 2014. Bearkat defensive linemen P. J. Hall and Mouf Adebo both earned All-Southland Conference honors.
Serving on Coach Keeler’s staffs at both Rowan and Delaware, Petitte helped direct teams to six appearances in NCAA national championship games including the 2010 finals in Frisco.
Petitte served seven seasons as defensive line coach for the Blue Hens. His 2010 Delaware unit led FCS football in scoring defense (12.1 points per game) and stood No. 8 in total defense and No. 12 in rushing defense. Delaware rolled up records of 12 in 2010 and 11-4 in 2007 to reach the championship finals.
From 2004 to 2005, Petitte served as associate head coach, defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at LaSalle University in Philadelphia, Penn.
At Rowan University in Glassboro, N. J., Petitte was part of a Profs program and made seven NCAA Division III playoff appearances. Rowan reached the championship final in 1995, 1996, 1998 and 1999.
Petitte produced an outstanding record in 24 years as a high school football coach. He served 14 years as a head coach, directing the programs at Camden Catholic High School in Cherry Hill, N. J., for six seasons and at Triton High School in Runnemeade, N. J., for eight years.
As a college football player at Glassboro State, which became Rowan University, Petitte was a four-year starter as an offensive guard. He served as team captain and was a two-time All-New Jersey Athletic Conference performer.
Petitte and his wife Patti are the parents of three daughters Ami, Cortnie and Patti
