Matt Mitchell joins UW as special teams coordinator, outside linebackers coach
MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - The Wisconsin football team made it official, announcing the hiring of Matt Mitchell as special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach.
“Coach Fickell has a proven track record of success and has assembled a championship level staff,” Mitchell said. “That, in combination with the tradition and enhancements being made at Wisconsin, has me excited for the future of this program.”
Mitchell has ties with another member of Fickell’s staff, Mike Tressel. The pair were roommates and teammates at Cornell College, before both serving as assistants at Wartburg College in Iowa from 1998-2001 where they began their coaching careers. Tressel joined the Ohio State staff as a GA in 2002 while Mitchell arrived at GVSU to coach the defensive backs in 2004.
ESPN college football writer, Pete Thamel previously broke the story on January 15. Reporting that the former Grand Valley State University head coach was joining Luke Fickell’s staff.
In a press release the Grand Valley State athletic department said that Mitchell stepped down as head coach to pursue other coaching opportunities.
“I am so thankful to have been a part of the Grand Valley State football program and Grand Valley State University,” Mitchell said “Grand Valley State is a special place, and I built so many wonderful relationships with our players, current and former, our coaching staff, the athletics administration, the football alumni, and within the University. It was an honor to recruit and lead the young men that put so much time and effort into the culture that is Grand Valley State football,” added Mitchell.
In his 13 seasons at Grand Valley State, Mitchell led the Lakers to the 2022 GLIAC Championship, a number one ranking in the AFCA and D2football national polls, and a berth in the NCAA Super Region 3 final. Mitchell finishes his time at GVSU with a 117-31 overall record, with seven NCAA DII Playoff appearances, two NCAA DII National Semifinal appearances and three GLIAC Championships.
His 117 wins rank second all-time in GVSU program history, Brian Kelly has the most with 118 wins.
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