Matthew Mitchell Position: Head Coach Years at UK: 3rd Year

Kentucky head coach Matthew Mitchell's teams are known for using three "winning tools" for success: honesty, hard work and discipline. So it's no surprise that in just two seasons, he has used these tools to build a program that is quickly ascending back into the national spotlight and expects success each and every year.

In Mitchell's two seasons, the Wildcats have advanced to back-to-back postseason tournaments, defeated four nationally-ranked teams, including upsets over perennial powers Georgia and Tennessee, had six players receive All-SEC accolades, had five SEC Academic Honor Roll members, one SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year, and all six players in their final season of eligibility received their degree.

Mitchell became Kentucky's head coach on April 23, 2007 when he was hired by Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart. A whirlwind salesman, Mitchell presented a vision of UK Hoops as a powerhouse program...and a warm and loving family. His pitch has resonated with recruits and their families as he has signed one of the top recruiting classes in the country for next season. UK's roster will boast six highly touted freshmen to go along with three Division I-A transfers and five returning players.

In his first season with the Wildcats, Mitchell led UK to a school-record fourth consecutive postseason tournament. The Wildcats posted a 17-16 overall record and finished fourth in the Southeastern Conference with an 8-6 mark, just one win shy of the school record. The eight league wins were the most conference wins by a first-year head coach in UK Hoops history. Mitchell also became the first head coach in UK Hoops history to lead their team to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament in their debut season. The Wildcats earned a first-round bye and upset No. 23/21 Georgia in the quarterfinals (57-50) before falling to the NCAA Final Four participant LSU in the semis. UK went on to defeat Middle Tennessee and James Madison in the postseason WNIT before falling to eventual champion Marquette in the quarterfinals, 69-64.

In Year Two, despite another tough schedule and injuries to key players throughout the season, the Wildcats again advanced to postseason play with a second round finish in the WNIT. It marked their school-record fifth consecutive postseason tournament appearance. The Cats finished 16-16 overall, 5-9 in the SEC and defeated No. 13/19 Tennessee in Memorial Coliseum, their first win over the Lady Vols at home in 23 years. Mitchell also captured his 30th win at UK on Feb. 5, 2009 vs. South Carolina. He did it in only 56 games, becoming the second-fastest coach to reach 30 wins behind Terry Hall who earned it in only 38 games during her first two seasons in 1980 and 1981.

Prior to Kentucky, Mitchell, known for his recruiting ability and enthusiasm, compiled an overall record of 30-29 record (.508) at Morehead - the third-highest winning percentage in school history. He did a remarkable job with the Lady Eagles in a just a short amount of time. He helped them go from a 5-22 record a year prior to his arrival to a 16-13 overall mark and 11-9 league record in his first season. He also mentored the Lady Eagles to the semifinals of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.

In his second season, Mitchell guided Morehead to a third-place finish in the league with a school-record 13 conference wins. During the season, the Lady Eagles strung together a nine- game winning streak, the school's longest in 20 seasons.

His two-year conference record of 24-16 (.600) marks the second-highest OVC winning percentage in school history. He was only the third coach in the history of the program to post an overall winning record during his tenure.

Mitchell is no stranger to the SEC as he worked as the top assistant and recruiting coordinator under former head coach Mickie DeMoss at Kentucky from 2003-05. In addition to his tenure with DeMoss, Mitchell served as an assistant coach for three more of the most recognized names in women's college basketball. He joined the Kentucky staff after three years at Florida, where he spent two seasons with Coach Carol Ross and one season with Coach Carolyn Peck. Prior to that, he served as a graduate assistant coach for the legendary Hall of Fame Coach Pat Summitt at Tennessee.

As an assistant at UK, he was a key factor in the development and improvement of UK's post players. Under his guidance, center Sarah Elliott ranked in the top 10 in two Southeastern Conference rankings and was named to the SEC All-Freshman team. Forward Jennifer Humphrey flourished under Mitchell's guidance, leading the team in rebounding and ranking 15th in SEC rebounding. She went on to become UK's second all-time leading rebounder. As the recruiting coordinator, Mitchell also helped bring in the nation's sixth-ranked recruiting class in 2003-04 by the All-Star Girls Report.

Mitchell also served as an assistant coach and recruiter at Florida beginning in 2000. He helped the Gators compile a 51-36 record and during his first two seasons the Gators recorded a 19-9 league record en route to two NCAA Tournament (2001 and 2002) appearances under Ross. With Mitchell's help, the Gators won a program-tying best 24 games and tied the school record with 11 wins in the SEC in 2001. He then served under Peck during the 2002-03 season. As the primary recruiter at UF, Mitchell brought in the ninth-ranked recruiting class in 2002 and the No. 2-ranked class by All-Star Girls Report for the 2003 class.

The 38-year-old native of Louisville, Miss., was a graduate assistant at Tennessee under Summitt during the Lady Vols' run to the Final Four in 2000. UT advanced to the national championship game before losing to top-ranked Connecticut. The Lady Vols finished at No. 2 in the national polls with a 33-4 overall record and a 13-1 mark in the SEC.

Prior to Tennessee, Mitchell spent one year in Yazoo City, Miss., as a coach and teacher at Manchester Academy. He taught American history and served as both the boys' and girls' head basketball coach.

His first experience as a head coach came in 1996 when he took a job at Central Holmes Academy in Lexington, Miss. Mitchell performed multiple duties as the head coach of both basketball teams and also the football, track and golf teams.

Mitchell attended Mississippi State from 1993-95, where he received a bachelor of science degree in marketing.

He has one daughter, Lacy Mitchell, of Madison, Miss., and is married to the former Jenna Ramsey of Gainesville, Fla.

Mitchell Year-By-Year

What They're Saying About Matthew Mitchell

"I am excited for Matthew and for the program. Having worked with Matthew at Tennessee and Kentucky, I know what he's capable of and he is very talented. I am confident that he can continue guiding the program on the right track with his leadership. Matthew's knowledge of the game, his communication skills, his relationships with players, and his strong ability to recruit makes him the total package. The players will respond well to him and he will be able to relate well to the community. The Kentucky fan base will continue to grow under his leadership."
- Mickie DeMoss, former Kentucky women's basketball coach

"I'm so excited for Matthew. He made it clear to me at Tennessee that he wanted to be involved in the women's game and I really enjoyed having him on our staff. I know he enjoyed working with Coach DeMoss at Kentucky as an assistant but I think it was good that he went away for his first head coaching job. It's great to have him back in the league."
- Pat Summitt, Tennessee women's basketball coach

"Matthew Mitchell is a great hire for Kentucky. He can continue the great tradition that Mickie DeMoss started there. He has similar qualities as Coach DeMoss as he is out-going, has high energy and a positive attitude. He is not only going to be great for Kentucky but for the SEC as well."
- Carol Ross, former Ole Miss women's basketball coach

"Watching Matthew as an assistant coach at Kentucky and Florida, I knew it wouldn't be long until he became a head coach at a big-time program. It's great to get a person with his energy, passion and knowledge of the game back in the SEC."
- Dave Neal, play-by-play announcer for SEC women's college basketball

"Kentucky made a great hire by getting Matthew Mitchell back. He helped Mickie DeMoss build the women's basketball program to where it is today. His energy, love of the game, and love of the Kentucky program make him a great choice."
- Lin Dunn - WNBA Indiana Fever head coach