Pettway walked on at the University of Alabama. As a senior, during the 2003–04 season, he started in every game, as the Crimson Tide made the Elite Eight.[3] That season, he averaged 9 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds.[4]
Pettway began coaching in 2005 serving as a graduate assistant at his alma mater Alabama. In 2006, he joined Jacksonville State as a full-time assistant coach.[6] Pettway stayed with the Gamecocks until 2008, when he returned to Alabama as an assistant coach.[7] In 2010, he switched to being Alabama's director of basketball operations, holding this position until 2013.[8] He then returned to being an assistant coach, a position in which he would remain for the rest of his tenure.
On April 7, 2023, Pettway was named the head coach at Kennesaw State, replacing Amir Abdur-Rahim.[9][10]
National champion
Postseason invitational champion
Conference regular season champion
Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
Division regular season champion
Division regular season and conference tournament champion
Conference tournament champion