Former Canadian Football League Player Named Defensive Back Coach Of Southern
Southern football coach Pete Richardson has turned to former free safety Jackie Mitchell to be the team’s new defensive backs coach.
Mitchell played linebacker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League but has no full-time coaching experience.
“He should help us out a lot as far as knowing what to expect on defense and also experience-wise,” Richardson said. “He’s been a professional athlete, so he can help us out on the details.”
Mitchell spent seven years in the CFL, making the CFL All-Star team in 2003, and also had stints as a free agent in the NFL, playing for the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.
“I’m very excited about coming back to my alma mater,” said Mitchell, who works full time for General Electric and also acts as a player development consultant in Houston. Mitchell will start at SU on June 2. “They’ve got a great core there. I’m thankful Coach Richardson is giving me the chance to get started. I have a great place to start. The same people are going to be there to help me who were there to help me get started as a player.”
Mitchell was an All-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection as a senior in 1998 and then returned the next season, serving as a graduate assistant under defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Michael Vite.
“He expressed an interest in coaching and because he played for us and we had an opening come available, we wanted to try to get him in,” Richardson said. “I think he understands what is expected in our program. He went through it, so he should bring a lot of pluses to us.”
Mitchell played a linebacker position known as dimebacker, which is like an extra defensive back, he said. Mitchell also played some at halfback.
“With just getting out of the game, I can see things from the other perspective,” Mitchell said. “And with my attitude, enthusiasm and passion, and with all the other coaches, it’s going to be a great fit.”
With Mitchell’s hiring, defensive coordinator Terrence Graves will stay with the linebackers and Todd Middleton will continue to work with the defensive line, where they were during spring practice. Richardson coached the secondary during spring ball.
Mitchell played linebacker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League but has no full-time coaching experience.
“He should help us out a lot as far as knowing what to expect on defense and also experience-wise,” Richardson said. “He’s been a professional athlete, so he can help us out on the details.”
Mitchell spent seven years in the CFL, making the CFL All-Star team in 2003, and also had stints as a free agent in the NFL, playing for the Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.
“I’m very excited about coming back to my alma mater,” said Mitchell, who works full time for General Electric and also acts as a player development consultant in Houston. Mitchell will start at SU on June 2. “They’ve got a great core there. I’m thankful Coach Richardson is giving me the chance to get started. I have a great place to start. The same people are going to be there to help me who were there to help me get started as a player.”
Mitchell was an All-Southwestern Athletic Conference selection as a senior in 1998 and then returned the next season, serving as a graduate assistant under defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Michael Vite.
“He expressed an interest in coaching and because he played for us and we had an opening come available, we wanted to try to get him in,” Richardson said. “I think he understands what is expected in our program. He went through it, so he should bring a lot of pluses to us.”
Mitchell played a linebacker position known as dimebacker, which is like an extra defensive back, he said. Mitchell also played some at halfback.
“With just getting out of the game, I can see things from the other perspective,” Mitchell said. “And with my attitude, enthusiasm and passion, and with all the other coaches, it’s going to be a great fit.”
With Mitchell’s hiring, defensive coordinator Terrence Graves will stay with the linebackers and Todd Middleton will continue to work with the defensive line, where they were during spring practice. Richardson coached the secondary during spring ball.
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