Matthew Mitchell, three-time SEC Coach of the Year who boasts 30 years of coaching experience, has been named the eighth coach in University of Houston Women’s Basketball history, Vice President for Athletics Eddie Nuñez announced Thursday pending UH System Board of Regents approval.
Cougar fans and supporters are invited to attend Mitchell’s introductory press conference at Noon, Tuesday, inside Fertitta Center. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. Fans unable to attend will be able to watch the live streamed event by clicking here.
“We are thrilled to welcome Matthew Mitchell and his family to the University of Houston,” Nuñez said. “I am fully confident that Coach will build a nationally competitive basketball program composed of outstanding young women who will be proud to wear the Cougar uniform, who will earn their degrees and who will be wonderful representatives of the University in the community. He has a tremendous track record of success at every step in his career and leads with high character and integrity. Our Women’s Basketball program is in great hands and with continued support, we will soon be competing for championships!”
Mitchell comes to the University of Houston after coaching from 2007-20 at Kentucky, where he led the Wildcats to 10 20+ win seasons and seven 25+ win seasons. His resume includes nine NCAA tournament appearances, three runs to the Elite Eight and five trips to the Sweet Sixteen. Mitchell remains the winningest head coach in program history with 303 career wins at the helm of the Wildcats.
I am incredibly excited and deeply grateful for the opportunity to become the Women’s Basketball head coach at the University of Houston,” Mitchell said. “This is a true honor—stepping into this role in a city with such a rich basketball history. I want to begin by extending my heartfelt thanks to President Renu Khator and Eddie Nuñez for their belief in me to elevate this program to compete at the highest level in the country. Their trust in me means the world, and I’m eager to begin this journey alongside them.
Matthew Mitchell – Houston Women’s Basketball Head Coach
Mitchell is a program changer, turning a Kentucky squad that went 16–16 overall, 5–9 in conference play in his second year at the helm to a 28–8 overall record in 2009–10 – earning SEC Coach of the Year for captaining the turnaround. The Cats’ 28 win total, including 11 SEC wins, were school records and UK finished second in the league despite being tabbed 11th in the preseason polls.
In his fourth season at Kentucky, Mitchell once again led the Wildcats to an outstanding season with a 25–9 overall record and a school-record-tying 11 wins (11–5) in the SEC. UK took a second-place finish in the league standings for the second-consecutive year and advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament as the No. 4 seed.
During the 2011-12 season, Mitchell guided Kentucky to its first SEC regular-season championship in more than 30 years and was named SEC Coach of the Year by the media as the Wildcats advanced to the Elite Eight.
Under Mitchell’s leadership at Kentucky, he coached five SEC Player of the Year selections, 21 All-SEC honorees and produced six WNBA draft picks, including Rhyne Howard, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft.
“We have a tremendous opportunity ahead of us. It’s a privilege to develop a program at a place with so much to offer — both in athletics and academics,” Mitchell said. “We aim to create the most meaningful and impactful experience a student-athlete can have. We are committed to building a culture based on the core values of honesty, hard work and discipline.”
Mitchell’s players also excelled in the classroom with 42 SEC Academic Honor Roll members and 100 percent of Mitchell’s players receiving their degrees. His squads secured team GPA’s of 3.0 or better for 12 straight semesters.
In his first head coaching role, Mitchell revived a declining Morehead State women’s basketball program with a 30-29 record (.508) – the third-highest winning percentage in school history. The Lady Eagles came off a 5-22 record a year prior to Mitchell’s arrival and earned a 16-13 overall mark and 11-9 league record in his first season. The Lady Eagles also reached the semifinals of the OVC Tournament.
The Louisville, Miss., native began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Tennessee under Hall of Fame Coach Pat Summitt during the Lady Vols’ run to the Final Four in 2000. Tennessee advanced to the national championship game before losing to top-ranked UConn. The Lady Vols finished No. 2 in the national polls with a 33-4 overall record and a 13-1 mark in the SEC.
Prior to his stint at 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.
A 1995 graduate of Mississippi State, Mitchell’s first head-coaching experience came in 1996 at Central Holmes Academy High School in Lexington, Miss. Mitchell performed multiple duties at the school, including head coach of both basketball teams as well as the track and golf teams. He also served as the defensive coordinator for the football team.
Mitchell is married to Jenna Ramsey Mitchell of Amelia Island, Fla., and has three daughters, Lacy Lea (Mitchell) Arant, of Starkville, Miss., Saylor Rose Mitchell and Presley Blue Mitchell. The Mitchells became grandparents in the fall of 2017 as Lacy and her husband Stephen gave birth to Crews McCoy Arant.
For those attending the Tuesday introductory event, complimentary parking will be available in the Stadium Garage. Attendees should access Fertitta Center through the Jody and David Marrs Club Entry entrance and follow signage to the Club.
https://uhcougars.com/news/2025/3/27/matthew-mitchell-named-houston-womens-basketball-head-coach
