Pettway signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in April 2018 but was cut soon after. He recently finished his second season playing with the Columbus Lions of the National Arena League.

Pettway said he learned a lot about coaching during the 2018 season at Park Crossing. He also credited former Auburn running backs coach Tim Horton as an influence in his budding coaching career.

“I learned a lot about being a coach from coach Horton when I was hurt. He always knew I wanted to be a coach, so I was kind of like his little personal assistant,” Pettway said. “Coach Horton was a coach that, first off, he loved us like his sons. He coached us to be the best that what we wanted to be – not just for his sake but for us as well. He coached us on and off the field.”

DuBose explained he had conversations with Pettway about joining the Central staff for quite some time. The two sides finally made it work, and although DuBose would have liked to bring Pettway on sooner, for the head coach it was better late than never.