AARON PARR, HEAD VARSITY COACH
Coach Parr (SPX ‘06) is in his 12th year as the head coach of the Golden Lions basketball program. Since taking over the helm of the program in 2011, Coach Parr has put together one of the best programs in the state. As head of the program, he has put together an impressive 280-80 overall record. He recently surpassed Mark Kelly as the schools' boys basketball career wins leader. In his first year (2012), the team had the biggest win/loss turnaround in the state. Since his first season, his teams have competed at a championship level, advancing deep into the state playoffs. They have finished state runners-up twice and have won seven region championships. Under his leadership, 17 of his players have gone on to play college basketball. In addition to the court, his players enjoy the benefits of being a part of a true "program". Coach Parr's players travel to summer team camps throughout the Southeast, participate in community service projects, and coach younger athletes at his Golden Lion summer camps.

Coach Parr's teams are known for their fast paced offense, quick ball movement, relentless full-court pressure, and a "never say die" attitude. His players play the game with passion and energy. 

While a student at Pius, Coach Parr played on the varsity basketball team under Coach Kevin Carroll. His 2005-06 team won the region championship. Coach Parr, the Golden Lions all-time leading scorer, went on to play college basketball at Birmingham-Southern College in Alabama. He was a 3 year starter at Birmingham-Southern and captain when the team was Conference Champions in 2010. Coach Parr is a graduate of Birmingham-Southern with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Secondary Education. He completed his Master's of Arts in Coaching and Athletic Administration at Concordia University Irvine (California). In addition to coaching at St. Pius X, he is also the schools' Interim President. He lives in Atlanta with his wife, Katie, who is also a St. Pius alum. They are the proud parents of two girls, Emory Rose and Avery. 

Team Records under Coach Parr:

• 2011-2012  10-15 (first year under current staff)
• 2012-2013  22-9 (State Elite Eight)
• 2013-2014  24-6 (State Sweet 16)
• 2014-2015  25-5 (State Sweet 16)
• 2015-2016  24-7 (State Elite Eight)
• 2016-2017  24-8 (Region Champions and State Runner-Up) 
• 2017-2018  28-4 (Region Champions, State Runner-Up, school wins record)
• 2018-2019  26-4 (Region Champions, State Elite Eight)
• 2019-2020  23-8 (Region Champions, State Final Four)
• 2020-2021  24-4 (Region Champions, State Elite Eight)
• 2021-2022  26-4 (Region Champions, State Sweet 16)
• 2022-2023  24-6  (Region Champions, State Elite Eight)

What others are saying about Coach Parr:

"I Coached him in college and I have never been around a player that has the rare combination of basketball IQ, passion for the game, and leadership. Coach Parr's love for the game has certainly rubbed off on his players like I knew it would."
-Mitch Cole, Associate Head Coach at Samford University

"Coach Parr is a big time competitor and winner. He strives to be the best at whatever he is involved in and he wants the same for his players. He is one of the young head coaches in the game that does things the right way."
-Kevin Carroll, Assistant Coach at Lipscomb University and former St. Pius X head coach

 

WILL CLOYD, ASSISTANT VARSITY COACH
Coach Cloyd (SPX ‘08) enters his 10th year on the St. Pius X basketball coaching staff. The Golden Lions have made a deep run in the playoffs every year he has been on staff. Coach Cloyd works with the post players in practice and serves as the team’s gear and film coordinator. Coach Cloyd was a stand-out basketball player while a student at St. Pius X. He then went on to play basketball for Guilford College in Greensboro, NC. During his four years at Guilford, Coach Cloyd helped the Quakers advance to the Division III Final Four twice (2009 and 2010), win the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship in 2010, and was named to the Academic All-ODAC team (2011-12). Coach Cloyd was a Graduate Assistant Coach at Guilford for the 2012-13 season. He received his master’s degree in Special Education from Georgia State University. In addition to coaching basketball, Coach Cloyd serves on the English faculty at St. Pius X.

 

JONATHAN MOSLEY, ASSISTANT VARSITY COACH
Coach Mosley enters his 8th year on the St. Pius X basketball coaching staff. He has a beautiful wife, Lauren. He is a young and energetic presence in prep hoops. Born and raised in St. Louis, MO, he attended Cardinal Ritter College Preparatory High School, where he was team captain and a key part of two Missouri State Championships. In 2007, he co-founded a reputable scouting website and began organizing several unsigned high school & JUCO basketball camps. Since 2011, he has coached travel circuit basketball, mentoring numerous high school athletes. He is currently the head coach of the U17 Team Inspire travel club. Coach Mosley earned his Bachelor's degree from Alabama A&M University, and returned to his hometown to earn his Masters degree at Webster University.

 

DENNIS RUGGIERO, ASSISTANT VARSITY COACH

This is coach Ruggiero‘s 3rd year working with the boys varsity program. He brings a lot of enthusiasm to this year’s team. Coach Ruggiero is in his 28th year at St. Pius. He teaches both Theology, and Holocaust and Genocide. Coach Ruggiero previously coached football for the Golden Lions and was the school’s first Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).

Coach Ruggiero has been married to his wife Margo for 33 years and they have two children, Alexandra,  class of ‘13 and Jacob, class of ‘19.

 

KEITH PITTMAN, HEAD JUNIOR VARSITY & ASSISTANT VARSITY COACH

Coach Pittman (SPX ‘85) returns for his 26th season as the Head Junior Varsity Coach for the Golden Lions. During his years as a community coach at SPX, he has also coached baseball and football. Coach Pittman’s mom, Susan Fechtel Pittman, was in the first graduating class at St. Pius X in 1959.

Coach Pittman is married to the lovely Heather McDevitt Pittman, Class of '88.  You can always find her decked out in St. Pius X gear sitting right behind the bench!! They have 4 daughters at home, Emma, Julia, Angelica, and Sophia who is a current Freshman at St. Pius X as well as the JV and Freshman basketball manager.

Coach Pittman’s favorite parts of coaching are going to summer camps and bringing his team closer together.

 

GARY SCHMITT, ATHLETIC TRAINER
Coach Schmitt, a certified athletic trainer, is in his 17th year as the St. Pius X Athletic Trainer. Before coming to St. Pius X, he worked with world renowned orthopedic surgeon James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama. Coach Schmitt has also worked preseason camps with the Atlanta Falcons. Originally from Wisconsin, Coach Schmitt earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and then moved south to earn his Master’s degree at Eastern Kentucky University. He is marries to Sara Geiger, math teacher and head girl's soccer coach. 

 

 

BUTCH LIDDELL, DIRECTOR OF BASKETBALL OPERATIONS
Mr. Liddell joined the SPX Coaching Staff in 2002 as the 7th Grade Middle School Coach.  He coached through 2010 season and continued with staff as Director of Basketball Operations. High School graduate at Sequoyah HS in 1976 in Doraville where he was Dekalb County top Player in Basketball and Baseball and Played in the first game in MK GYM. Went to Middle Georgia Junior College and lettered in basketball and baseball. Finished Basketball in 9th place nationally. Went to Georgia Southern College, now Georgia Southern University to finish career playing D1 basketball and earning a BBA in Management. Currently married to Glenna Carothers Liddell since 1984, Son Blake graduated for SPX in 2006 and was Student Assistant for basketball team. Blake is currently married to Amy DeMao and have son Luke and daughter Mia. Blake is working for Delta as a Senior Propulsion Engineer.