Career
As a coach, he was successful both at the high school and collegiate levels. In 42 years of coaching, at all levels, he compiled a 289–129–17 record. In his 21 years as a high school coach, he coached at Slaton, Childress, Pampa, and Marshall, compiling a 165–44–8 record.
At Marshall he coached Y. A. Tittle.
From 1946 to 1966, Mitchell was the head football coach at North Texas State College, now the University of North Texas, compiling a record of 122–85–9. From 1946 to 1952, the Mean Green enjoyed seven consecutive winning seasons, which is a school record.
His teams earned 10 conference championships, and played in three bowl games. In 1986, he was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.