John
Mitchell is in his 16th season as the
Steelers defensive line coach, ranking him as the longest-tenured member of the
Steelers coaching staff. He remained with the team following Mike Tomlin’s
hiring in January, 2007, and was promoted to assistant head
coach.
Mitchell, who joined the Steelers’ coaching staff Jan.
31, 1994, is in his 37th season of coaching, including 16 years at the college
level and two in the United States Football League. This is his 19th season as
an NFL coach.
Mitchell has been instrumental in the
development of the Steelers defensive linemen, including three-time Pro Bowl
nose tackle Casey Hampton and defensive end Aaron Smith, who earned his first
Pro Bowl appearance in 2005. He also helped develop starting defensive end Brett
Keisel and nose tackle Chris Hoke, who filled in sensationally for an injured
Hampton during the 2004 season.
Under his guidance, Pittsburgh’s
defensive front helped the Steelers lead the NFL in run defense four times and
finish in the top three on 10 separate occasions. In 2006, the team did not
allow a single 100-yard rusher all season and allowed just 88.3 rushing yards
per game.
Strong play by Mitchell’s line was a
huge reason why the Steelers finished the 2008 regular season second overall in
the NFL behind the Minnesota Vikings against the run (80.3
avg.)
A former All-America defensive end for Alabama, Mitchell was the
first African-American to play for the Crimson Tide. Mitchell’s early years in
coaching were spent studying under two of college football’s greatest coaches.
He began his coaching career in 1973 as defensive line coach under Paul ‘‘Bear’’
Bryant at Alabama (1973-76). He then spent six seasons
as defensive line coach at Arkansas (1977-82) on Lou Holtz’s
staff.
In 1983, Mitchell made his first move to the
professional level. From 1983-85 he served as defensive line coach for the
USFL’s Birmingham Stallions and returned to the college ranks in 1986 as
defensive ends coach at Temple.
Mitchell began a four-year stint in 1987 as linebackers
coach at Louisiana
State (1987-90) under
former Steelers’ linebacker coach Mike Archer, who was the head coach. In 1990,
Mitchell became the first African-American defensive coordinator in Southeastern
Conference (SEC) history when he was named LSU’s defensive coordinator. He also
coached the Tigers’ linebackers.
Mitchell, 57, joined the NFL ranks in 1991 with the
Cleveland Browns, where he tutored two Pro Bowl defensive tackles, Michael Dean
Perry and Rob Burnett. Mitchell accepted his current appointment following three
seasons coaching the defensive line for the Browns.
A two-time Junior College All-American defensive end at
Eastern Arizona Junior College in 1969-70, Mitchell then transferred to Alabama. A starter at
defensive end from 1971-72, Mitchell earned All-America honors in 1972. He
earned a bachelor’s degree in social work in 1972.
Born Oct. 14, 1951, in Mobile,
Ala., Mitchell and his wife Joyce live in
Pittsburgh.
