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Home > SECWB News & More! > General News > Kentucky Names Mitchell New Head Coach
Kentucky Names Mitchell New Head Coach
by LeAnne Harrington
Posted: April 24th, 2007 @ 3:55pm
Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart announced Monday April 23 that Matthew Mitchell has been named as the new women’s basketball coach at the University of Kentucky, the first male head coach in the 36-year history of the program. Mitchell, 36, replaces Mickie DeMoss, who abruptly resigned April 11 after four years as head coach.
Mitchell has just completed his second year as head coach of Morehead State University’s women’s basketball team, where he compiled a 30-29 record in two seasons. Mitchell inherited a Morehead team that had gone 5-22 the previous season, and quickly turned the program around, going 16-13 their first year with Mitchell at the helm. In his second year, Mitchell’s Morehead team went 14-16, but set a new school record for Ohio Valley Conference wins with 13. Prior to his head coaching stint at Morehead, Mitchell had served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Kentucky under DeMoss. In only his first season, Mitchell helped DeMoss land the sixth best recruiting class in the nation.
Mitchell states: “Every move I've made has been a mission to prepare myself for this moment. I've also followed my heart and it has led me to Kentucky. Two years ago when I was an assistant here, I felt I needed the experience as a head coach to be where I am today. I'm greatly appreciative of the opportunity that I had at Morehead. I'm ready to be the head coach at Kentucky.” Mitchell was introduced to the team on Sunday, and they were present at the press conference on Monday, with senior Sarah Elliott indicating the team was happy with the choice. Elliott stated: “When I first saw him walk through the door when we found out, it was a big weight off my chest. I was so excited and happy it was him.”
Mitchell, a native of Louisville, MS and 1995 graduate of Mississippi State University, began his coaching career in the high school ranks in Mississippi. He then served as a graduate assistant at the University of Tennessee under Hall of Famer Pat Summitt. His next coaching stop was at the University of Florida, where he served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator under both Carol Ross and Carolyn Peck. It was during his time at Florida that Mitchell solidified his reputation as a top recruiter, helping bring in the ninth-ranked recruiting class in 2002 and the second-ranked class in 2003. In addition to his excellent recruiting credentials, Mitchell is considered to be a top-notch developer of post players.
Mitchell reportedly signed a five year contract at Kentucky, which pays $250,000 a year plus incentives. Mitchell now becomes the fourth man in the SEC women’s basketball coaching ranks, joining new Arkansas head coach Tom Collen, long time Ole Miss head coach and new LSU head coach Van Chancellor, and Andy Landers, who has spent 28 years at the helm of the Georgia Lady Bulldogs.
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