Matthew Mitchell (Vicky Graff Photo)
For the last 13 years both Matthew Mitchell and Craig Skinner have coached at Kentucky. Skinner was actually the UK volleyball coach for two years before Mitchell took over the women’s basketball program.
They both slowly, methodically built their programs into not only competitive Southeastern Conference teams but also programs that could compete nationally. Neither coach has made a Final Four but both figured to have a great chance to do that this year before Mitchell retired less than two weeks before his team’s season was scheduled to start for personal reasons.
“I feel for coach Mitchell and what they are going through,” Skinner said last week. “We have texted back and forth and communicated. I do not know all the details but I know it was not easy (to retire).
“That guy is so passionate and involved in our athletic department. I know it had to be agonizing for him.”
Skinner’s team just finished its fall season 8-0. Every other SEC team has at least two losses as the conference takes a pause now before hopefully finishing play in the spring. Kentucky is ranked second nationally.
Skinner understands the time and commitment a coach like Mitchell puts into his program and the sacrifices he has to make with family and friends to do what he does annually.
“He is such a talented person. Maybe he will just put his energy into something different now,” Skinner said. “It would be a tough decision to make.
“I commend him. What a career he had. He is Kentucky women’s basketball.”
