Mitchell begins his fourth season at Gannon in 2018, but will assume new responsibilities. He was promoted to defensive coordinator and linebacker coach during the offseason after spending the last three years as the Gannon director of strength and conditioning, pro liaison and defensive line coach.
The Brooklyn, N.Y., native’s previous work as Gannon’s pro liaison has paved dividends with several former student-athletes getting a shot at the professional level. Liam Nadler headlines the group after concluding his collegiate career in 2015. Following stints in several National Football League (NFL) minicamps, Nadler was the starting quarterback for the Colorado Crush of the Indoor Football League (IFL) in 2017 and is now the starting quarterback of the Sioux City Bandits in the Champions Indoor Football (CIF) League. Andrew Peirson was the latest Golden Knight to reap the benefits, signing a free agent contact with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL).
Mitchell arrived at Gannon with four years of collegiate experience as an assistant coach at the University of Charleston and Marietta (Ohio) College. He spent the previous two seasons at Charleston, where the Golden Eagles went 8-3 in 2014 and 6-5 in 2013. In addition to serving as the strength and conditioning coach, his main responsibility on the field was with the safeties. Mitchell also assisted the linebacker group. He worked with a defense that ranked 19th among all NCAA Division II schools in fewest first downs allowed, 27th in rushing defense, 32nd in total defense, 36th in scoring defense and 38th in sacks.
His coaching career began as the defensive line coach and video coordinator at Marietta College during the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
Mitchell was a four-year starter at Allegheny (Pa.) College from 2007-10. He was part of a defense that finished fourth nationally in rushing defense as a senior. His 34 tackles and four sacks earned all-conference second-team accolades after his final campaign.
Mitchell graduated from Allegheny College in 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He later earned a master’s degree in strategic leadership from the University of Charleston in 2014.
Personal Data
Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.
College Education: Allegheny ‘11
