Longtime Steelers assistant coach John Mitchell announced his retirement from coaching on Wednesday after 29 seasons with the franchise.
Mitchell began his tenure in Pittsburgh in 1994 when he was hired as a defensive line coach under coach Bill Cowher. He transitioned into an assistant coach in ’07 when current head coach Mike Tomlin took over the team.
In his 29 years with the Steelers, the franchise won two Super Bowls in 2005 and ‘08.
“I’m grateful to the Rooney family for the wonderful opportunity to coach and work for the Steelers for nearly 30 years,” Mitchell said, via the Steelers’ press release. “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.”
Steelers president Art Rooney II spoke about what Mitchell means to the franchise.
“Coach Mitch has been a pivotal member of the Steelers organization, in a variety of roles, for the better part of 30 years,” Rooney 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.”
Mitchell’s coaching career began in 1973 when he worked as a defensive ends coach for Alabama. The team won the NCAA national title that season. He worked at various collegiate programs before transitioning into an NFL role with the Browns in 1990. He spent three seasons there before joining the Steelers.
