Matthew Mitchell interested in returning to coaching, per report

Is Matthew Mitchell coming out of retirement? After stepping away from the game in 2020, the former Kentucky Women’s Basketball coach is considering returning to the sidelines, according to Brandon Sudge. Sudge, who covers Georgia Women’s Basketball for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, notes that Mitchell could be considered for the vacancy in Athens. Earlier this week, Joni Taylor left Georgia to take the job at Texas A&M.

Multiple people have told me that Matthew Mitchell has a desire to return to coaching, and could be a name to keep an eye on for #UGA opening. Mitchell suffered a health scare when coaching at Kentucky and was replaced by Kyra Elzy two seasons ago.

— Brandon Sudge (@brandonsudge) March 25, 2022

In March 2020, Mitchell fell while on a hike in Mexico and hit his head, suffering a concussion. A few weeks later, doctors discovered he had blood on the brain, and in June 2020, he underwent successful surgery to repair a crack in his skull. Following his recovery, Mitchell attempted to return to his role as Kentucky’s head coach; however, in November 2020, he made the decision to retire from the profession and spend more time with his family.

About a year later, Mitchell started making the rounds in Lexington again, co-hosting KSR and releasing a new Christmas album for his charity, the Mitchell Family Foundation. On Dec. 9, 2021, he returned to Rupp for a proper retirement ceremony — albeit one that may end up being premature.

“These players down here made it all happen. Love you guys so much.”

Matthew Mitchell's retirement celebration in Rupp 💙 @KentuckyWBB pic.twitter.com/NiwvK0r1LD

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) December 10, 2021

Matthew Mitchell’s Coaching Resume

Over 13 seasons at Kentucky, Mitchell had a 303-133 record and took the Cats to the Elite Eight three times. He is one of just three Kentucky head coaches, men’s or women’s, to win over 300 games; Adolph Rupp and John Calipari are the other two. His 303 wins are the most in WBB program history. He took over a team that had just three NCAA Tournament appearances from 1987 to 2007. By the time he left, Kentucky made the postseason in all but one of his 13 years in charge.

Something worth noting: Mitchell coached Dre’Una Edwards and recruited and briefly coached Treasure Hunt and Jazmine Massengill before retiring. All three players entered the transfer portal this morning, a massive blow to the Kentucky WBB program.