Matthew Mitchell sings the UK fight song -- a postgame tradition -- with his daughters after a win last year. (Vicky Graff Photo)
News that Matthew Mitchell has resigned as Kentucky women’s basketball coach Thursday night surprised me, but it also didn’t surprise me. It surprised me because I know how much he loves his job and he may well have his best team at Kentucky this season. But it didn’t surprise me because Mitchell has had some serious health issues after needing brain surgery following a fall this spring.
Mitchell retires with a record of 333-162 and is winningest head coach in Kentucky women’s basketball history with a 303-133 mark. Associate head coach Kyra Elzy has been named interim head coach.
Mitchell did a preseason Zoom media session recently and just didn’t quite seem like his normal self to me. Now obviously his health/recovery are not going quite the way he wants and he felt it was best for everyone for him to step away.
He has two young daughters to worry about along with his own health. But I think he genuinely also must believe he could not do his best to get the most out of this year’s team.
I will miss Mitchell so much. It’s not just the traditional dance antics he has done at Big Blue Madness every year. No, it’s much more with him.
I remember the time he came to Perryville to visit with country singer Eddie Montgomery. Mitchell is a former singer himself and the two had a great time talking, joking and singing. I was lucky enough to be there and loved that Mitchell always came out for games with “My Town” by Montgomery Gentry as his intro music.
He’s joined me in Harrodsburg for live radio shows. He’s joined me on-air for a variety of radio shows in Danville and Stanford.
Mitchell would talk to you if he was at a game watching a prospect play. I still remember being in Lexington a couple of summers ago when he stopped by to watch now UK sophomore Emma King play an AAU game.
He loved everything about Lexington. So did his family. I thought he would coach here another 15 years, especially with the success I believe UK is positioned to have in the next few years.
Matthew Mitchell has a been a great ambassador for women’s basketball and the University of Kentucky. He always found time to be involved in charitable activities and the Mitchell Family Foundation has contributed to numerous charitable and educational groups in Kentucky.
He never once worried about being overshadowed by UK men’s basketball. Instead, he embraced the Big Blue Mist and used it to help his program.
Matthew Mitchell is just one of the good guys and a man I am going to miss a lot because he’s done a lot for me. All I can say is thanks and enjoy retirement but don’t be a stranger.
