Jamie Mitchell admits it was going to take a special opportunity to make him leave his post at Starkville High School’s football coach.
That opportunity came knocking Tuesday.
Mitchell, Starkville’s coach for the past five seasons, accepted an offer to become the head coach at North Little Rock High in Little Rock, Arkansas, one of that state’s premier programs.
“It is a rare chance,” Mitchell said. “North Little Rock is a tremendous power in the state of Arkansas, always has been. They’ve just completed a $120-million project that includes a school, stadium, and practice facility — really top of the line.
“Nothing is wrong in Starkville, believe me. I love Starkville, and it has been a great place for me. But I have one reason to make this choice. I can retire here and go up there and continue to work.”
Entering teaching and coaching in 1990, Mitchell just finished his 25th year in education, making him eligible for state retirement benefits. He can accept those benefits while coaching at North Little Rock High.
Mitchell’s decision to head to Arkansas ends a five-year tenure that included four playoff berths and one state championship. The Yellow Jackets played for the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A championship in 2011 and won the Class 5A title in 2012. This past season, Starkville climbed to No. 1 in the state and appeared in the top 10 of MaxPreps.com’s national rankings, but it lost to eventual state champion South Panola 36-26 in the Class 6A North State championship game.
Mitchell went 51-17 at Starkville High. Starkville was 28-32 in the five seasons before Mitchell’s arrival.
Mitchell’s hiring at North Little Rock is expected to be made official Thursday when it is approved by the school board. Word of Mitchell’s departure from Starkville spread quickly Tuesday.
“We are all surprised around here,” said former Starkville quarterback Brady Davis, who played his senior season for Mitchell and led the Yellow Jackets to a 13-1 finish. “It is a good job for him, though, and if this is what he wants to do, I am really happy for him.”
Davis wasn’t the only former Yellow Jacket surprised.
“It shocked me when I found out,” said former Starkville tailback Matt Fuller, who said he learned of Mitchell’s leaving through social media. “It floored me. I’m sure it took those current players by surprise, too. But I understand. It looks like a great job for him.”
While former players found out through word of mouth and social media, Mitchell told Starkville’s current players in a team meeting Tuesday afternoon.
“Anyone in this business, any coach, he will tell you that the day that haunts us the most is a day like today,” Mitchell said. “When you have to go in there and look your team in the eye and tell your players you’re leaving, it gets to you. But, at the same time, the kids understand it’s an incredible opportunity.”
North Little Rock High, which fired coach Brad Bolding in February, was 11-2 in 2014. It has won 45 games in the past five seasons.
‘He made them tough’
Starkville High’s players weren’t the only ones who reacted swiftly once news spread. In Clay County, West Point High football coach Chris Chambless was taken aback by the announcement.
“Starkville is our main rival, so that game is always difficult,” Chambless said. “But when Jamie got there five years ago, he changed them. He made them tough. You always knew it was going to be hard going against Starkville, but Jamie gave them that little extra they needed. He made them one of the best teams in the state.”
That’s nothing new for Mitchell.
He arrived in Starkville in the summer of 2010 fresh off a four-year stint at Itawamba Agricultural High in Fulton, where he went 40-9 from 2006-09. It was the best four-year stretch in program history.
Taking over a Starkville team that went 3-8 in 2008 and 4-8 in 2009, Mitchell led the team to a 5-6 finish in his first year.
“It was broken, needed to be fixed,” Mitchell said. “I think we did that. The kids bought in, worked hard, did everything we asked them to do, and I think it showed. We had a great run, won a state championship, averaged 10 wins a year. We accomplished a lot together.”
In 2011, the Yellow Jackets went 12-3 and reached the Class 5A title game. Starkville beat Pascagoula 28-11 to win the 2012 title.
“He turned around the program, got us back on top,” Fuller said. “I’m sure it’s a good opportunity for him. I hate it for us, but we are in better shape now than we were. I think a new coach can definitely have success here in his first year.”
‘The extra mile’
Mitchell’s impact in Starkville was evident in his team’s records. But to Starkville’s players, Mitchell’s impact was even greater.
“He’s a great coach,” former Starkville High linebacker A.J. Smith said. “He went the extra mile, really spoke to me on a personal level. He cared about you off the field more than he cared about you on the field. That means something.”
Smith’s sentiment was shared by multiple teammates.
“The thing about coach Mitchell is he wanted the best for every player on the team,” Davis said. “He also knew what we needed to be successful and he pushed each of us to that level. He wanted the best for all of us, and that is why he was a special coach.”
Fuller agreed.
“He worried about you as a person first and foremost,” Fuller said. “He worked with you on your grades and your work ethic before he ever worried about football. That meant a lot to me.”
Mitchell said the decision to leave was “extremely difficult.” But ultimately, it was a decision made easier because of his belief in the staying power of the Yellow Jackets.
“Starkville football will be fine,” Mitchell said. “This program isn’t about Jamie Mitchell. It’s about these great players, these great coaches who have always been here. I have no doubt Starkville football will continue to be one of the greatest programs in this state.”
Mitchell believes next season could be special for the Jackets.
By 3 p.m. Tuesday, Starkville High’s underclassmen were on the field for spring practice. It is uncertain who will coach the team for the remainder of spring practice.
“This team will have at least five Division I players next year, and more young stars coming up,” Mitchell said. “This program is in outstanding shape for the future, and whoever gets that opportunity to lead these guys will have so much to work with.”
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