Augusta, Ga. - It was only a year and a half ago David Viti was suited up for the Augusta basketball team and making an impact. Now, Viti has exchanged basketball for the whistle and is the new varsity boy's basketball coach at Greenbrier High School in Evans, Ga.
 
He is the latest former player under Dip Metress to become a head coach as the list continues to grow. The impact Metress has had is not lost on Viti.
 
"He demands excellence. I took that away and that you can't be okay with the standard not being upheld. So Dip was never okay with that, and neither am I," said Viti.
 
Viti initially got his bachelor's degree in business administration and then a master's degree in education. This past year he taught at Grovetown High School and was an assistant coach. Then, the opening came at Greenbrier and Viti was able to get the job, ironically, replacing another former Jaguar in Demetrius Howard who left for a similar position at Parkview High School in Lilburn, Ga.
 
It really was not until a business class in which Viti was a basketball camp counselor when he started to get the bug to coach. He knew teaching would be an effective way to get into coaching and was able to use his final two years of eligibility left to get his master's in education.
 
Having been in the system with Metress, Viti noticed how his style of coaching got the best out of players to reach their potential. While he's having to tone it down in high school, it's a style he likes and wants to adapt.
 
"The big thing in high school is that you have a lot of kids that are developing their bodies and developing their skill sets. As a coach, if you can get the most potential out of your group, that's all you can really ask for," said Viti.
 
He also knows it really doesn't matter what the skill level is, as long as the effort and energy are there, that's what competitive excellence can become. It transfers to every level of basketball.
 
Viti also pointed to the education day games that Augusta basketball has held over the years that can really be a difference maker in someone's life.
 
"You go into the stands and meet all the kids; you leave a lasting impression on the kids, the parents of the kids, the teachers that are there and the administrators that are there. You hope the players know that building those relationships as a college kids can help you out in real life," he said.
 
Viti is now fully invested in the Greenbrier program and has hit the ground running. He knows there is a lot on his plate right now but he is up to the challenge. He also knows the love of the game will propel him to success.
 
"I love basketball," said Viti. "Many high school coaches do it because they like being called coach. I do it because I love basketball and I don't have any other reason for doing it other than the love for the game of basketball."