John Mitchell, Steelers Longest-Tenured Coach, Announces Retirement
PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach John Mitchell is ending his football career, closing his 29-year run with the team, as he announced his retirement.
Mitchell started with the Steelers in 1994 as the team's defensive line coach under Bill Cowher, and remained in that role until 2006. In 2007, when Mike Tomlin was hired, Mitchell was promoted to assistant head coach/defensive line coach. And then in 2018, he was promoted to assistant head coach.
"I'm grateful to the Rooney family for the wonderful opportunity to coach and work for the Steelers for nearly 30 years," Mitchell said. "It was truly an honor. I'd also like to thank Coach Tomlin for giving me the opportunity to stay with the franchise when Coach Cowher retired. I will treasure my time in Pittsburgh and appreciate everyone affiliated with the organization."
Mitchell began his NFL career with Cleveland Brown in 1991, working as their defensive line coach until Pittsburgh hired him. Prior to that, he served as the defensive line coach for the Birmingham Stallions from 1983-1985.
Before the pros, Mitchell worked for Temple and LSU, and was the first African-American defensive coordinator in the SEC.
Mitchell started his coaching journey as the defensive line coach for the legendary Paul "Bear" Bryant at Alabama from 1973-1976. He then went on to coach defensive line for Lou Holtz at Arkansas from 1977-1982.
Mitchell was also the first African-American to play at the University of Alabama, starting all 24 games at defensive end in his two seasons with the Crimson Tide.
"I'm not sure that I can offer sufficient praise and admiration for Mitch – as both a man and football coach," head coach Mike Tomlin said. "Mitch has been a central figure in the success of the Pittsburgh Steelers for nearly three decades. He has coached some of the best players in this franchise's illustrious history, and each one of them, to a man, would tell you their success was a direct result of not only Mitch's coaching acumen, but also his mentorship, leadership and character.
"Those traits were most evident when he chose to attend the University of Alabama. Mitch's path not only changed his life, but the lives of so many others. It's impossible to truly measure his impact on the game, but I'm eternally grateful for the 16 years we worked together and wish him and (his wife) Joyce the absolute best in retirement."
"Coach Mitch has been a pivotal member of the Steelers organization, in a variety of roles, for the better part of 30 years," Steelers President Art Rooney II said. "When you consider his path, as both a player and coach, Mitch created opportunities in football for young Black men that quite honestly didn't previously exist. He has left an imprint on this franchise, and the sport and culture of football, that will continue well beyond his retirement."
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