With hearts of sorrow, The Memorial Funeral Home Staff requests your prayers for the family and friends of

Coach Michael Pittman.

On July 2, 1972, the game clock started. Michael Jerome Pittman, Jr. stepped onto the court of life in New Orleans, Louisiana, as the only child born to the union of Ruby Gibbs (Pittman) and Michael Pittman Sr. Mike may have looked like an underdog, having been born to a teenage married couple in the Lower Ninth Ward, but he was positioned for purpose. To those in the huddle with him, he was an asset. He considered his young uncle, Herbert, and cousin Dwayne as his brothers and his cousin Brandy as his sister. He spent his younger years at Thomas Edison Elementary and on the court of Sam Bonart Park, in the Lower 9th Ward. Mike loved sports... but he loved people even more. Everyone knew his name. To every friend and family member, Mike was a light. A motivator. A deacon. An educator. A beacon of hope and, most importantly, A Christian brother.

At Lawless High School, Mike began his organized basketball journey, but this was just a warm-up. Little did he know that he was gearing up to mentor, coach, and influence more young lives than any of us could ever count. Basketball was his platform. Ministry was his calling.

After graduation, Mike attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he joined the renowned Human Jukebox. Then, on campus in 1991, while kicking it at Delta Express with friends, he met the love of his life, Felecia (Racquel). That sweet introduction over Rocky Road ice cream was the pre-game meal that set the stage for the rest of his life.

Mike and Racquel were the kind of teammates who faced every challenge head-on, hand-in-hand. As a young father, Mike stepped up and took a job as a sheriff's deputy in the Orleans Parish Sheriff's jail. He rose to the occasion, and his three children can attest to his unrelenting love and unwavering presence to this day.

Mike and Racquel later established their home court in North Louisiana, where Mike continued raising his family and ultimately completed his studies at Grambling State University. Years later, in 2025, at McNeese State University, he fulfilled a proud personal goal: earning his master's degree. Mike proudly served alongside his brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated in Lorman, Mississippi, and Lake Charles, Louisiana.

He began his career at North DeSoto High School before moving to Grambling Lab School, where he served as head coach of the Grambling Lab Girls Basketball team and assistant coach for football. He celebrated many wins as an assistant with the Minden Lady Tiders Basketball team while also assisting with football, softball, and track programs.

When his family relocated to Texas in 2004, Coach Pitt became an integral part of the Denton Ryan Raiders Girls Basketball staff, serving faithfully for more than a decade. He later became the head coach of the Kimball High School Girls Basketball team in 2017 before transitioning to the collegiate level in 2018.

He coached women's basketball at Paul Quinn College (2018), Alcorn State University (2019), Northwestern State University (2020-23), McNeese State University (2024), and recently part-time with Grambling State University (2026) From high school gyms to Division I arenas, he poured into young women not only as athletes, but as people. He challenged them like leaders and cared for them like daughters.

Mike accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at an early age. But it was when he matured into manhood, husbandhood, and fatherhood that his faith became the firm foundation upon which he built everything else. He made a deliberate and unbroken commitment to fully dedicate every bit of his life: his family, his work, his heart, his focus... his ALL to Christ.

Mike served faithfully as a church deacon, stewarding both people and principles with complete integrity. He led finance teams wisely and held others accountable to a job well done. Alongside his wife, Dr. Felecia Pittman, he mentored couples, led small groups, and invested in marriages.

Mike was a go-to rock for so many people behind the scenes. Whether he was on the court or in your home, Mike was always the same. He would meet you where you are, and then coach you to where God called you to be. Mike was unapologetically himself. He could light up a room with a smile and make anyone feel like family. He was the life of the party, the grill master at cookouts, the encourager in private conversations, and the steady presence people leaned on. He never met a stranger and always put others before himself. He made every moment meaningful. Coach Pitt was a true lover of Christ and the game.

While many knew him as Coach, Frat, or Big Bro, the titles he guarded most proudly were Dad, Papa Pitt, Big Brother, Mike, and Bae. His greatest legacy was his family.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Hines and Henrietta, Martha and Enoch; his uncles, Hines Jr., Tyrone, and Albert; and his granddaughter, Farrah.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife and best friend, Dr. Felecia Pittman; his children, Michael "MJ", III (Amanda), Xavier (Deborah), Faith; his grandchildren, Elijah, Lily, Angelo, Shya, and Iris; his parents, Ruby Gibbs, Michael Sr., David and Esther Rabb; his siblings, Micah Bachemin (Corey) Mikeela Woods (Barriel), Desmond Pittman, David Rabb, III (Alaina) Michelle Cooper (Anthony Sr.); and his nieces and nephews, Jacilyn, Amiyah, David, Akheem, Anthony Jr., Miah, Barriel Jr., Amari, Meilani, and Naomi. He was blessed to have many godchildren and adopted children throughout the years.

On Sunday, February 15, 2026, after years of service, sacrifice, and steadfast faith, Mike answered the Lord's call and entered into eternal rest, a job well done. When the final buzzer sounded, heaven welcomed him home.

Though our hearts ache...Earth was left with a legacy, and heaven gained our coach.

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7 KJV

His number is retired. But his impact is eternal.