PITTSBURG, Kan. – Josh Lattimer is a southeast Kansas kid through-and-through.
“This is home. I love the people,” Lattimer says, “There’s tough people here, and I love tough people.”
Lattimer has been named the new strength and conditioning coach for Pittsburg High School, after serving as an assistant coach for Pitt State football since 2017.
“I’m excited. I’m fortunate to have this opportunity and very thankful. The main thing is to get these guys and girls motivated and bring the juice every day, and have them ready to compete at their full potential for their coaches whenever they get out there,” Lattimer says, “I don’t think there’s going to be much difference from working with college kids to high school kids. I’m not going to change me or who I am or what I do. I’m going to get the most out of everybody that we can.”
The Fort Scott native played football collegiately at Pittsburg State, earning All-MIAA recognition his final three years (2003-2005) and earning All-America honors his final two seasons (2004-2005). He helped the 2004 team go 14-1 overall and finish as the Division II National Runner-up.
Lattimer has served as the Gorillas’ defensive line coach since 2017.
“I’m always going to be tied into Pittsburg State. They gave me an opportunity. They made me,” Lattimer says, “coach Beck, coach Broyles, coach Roth and all those guys…coach Garmin. They’ll always be a part of me, and I’m always going to be a part of Gorilla nation.”
His new role at Pittsburg High School will give Lattimer more time with his family – something he’s looking forward to.
“That’s the main reason…those five people I’m in charge of are the main reason I’m doing this,” Lattimer says, “I’m excited and they’re excited. They’re excited about the Purple Dragons.”
And he’s also already familiar with some of the people he will now be working with.
“LC and I go way back,” Lattimer says of Pittsburg High School wrestling coach LC Davis, “He used to come pick me up at 5 o’clock in the morning and we would go work out and train for wrestling. Coach (Tom) Nickelson…he and I go way back as well. I’m getting to know (Athletic Director) Jeff Staley more and more. The more I get to know him, the more I get excited and love being around him. I’m looking forward to getting to know all of the coaches there, working with them and working with their athletes, preparing them to be the best they can be for those coaches.”
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