MADISON, Wis. – Matt Mitchell joins the Wisconsin football staff to coach the outside linebackers and special teams units, head coach
Luke Fickell announced on Monday.
Mitchell joins the Badgers after 13 years as the head coach at Grand Valley State, a Division II football power in Allendale, Mich.
"I was fired up that we were able to add Matt to the staff," Fickell said. "He is a great coach with tremendous experience. What his teams at Grand Valley State accomplished is very impressive. I've gotten to know him through his relationship with Coach Tressel and I am confident he will be a good fit on our staff and in this program."
Mitchell established a winning culture during his distinguished career at Grand Valley State, compiling a mark of 117-31 (.790) over 12 seasons. He guided the Lakers to seven NCAA DII Playoff appearances, two NCAA DII National Semifinal appearances, three Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships, three GLIAC North Division titles, and two undefeated regular seasons.
Under Mitchell, Grand Valley State finished the 2022 regular season undefeated, claimed the GLIAC Championship, and earned a No. 1 seed in the playoffs. The Lakers landed 22 players on the All-GLIAC team and tallied four league Player of the Year honors. Nine different GVSU players earned All-America honors following the 2022 season.
Since the beginning of 2018, Mitchell has guided GVSU to a 40-8 record. Without the 2020 season of action due to COVID, the Lakers have made three NCAA playoff appearances over the last four seasons.
"I'm thrilled to be joining the staff at the University of Wisconsin," Mitchell said. "Coach Fickell has a proven track record of success and has assembled a championship level staff. That, in combination with the tradition and enhancements being made at Wisconsin, has me excited for the future of this program."
Before becoming head coach in 2010, Mitchell spent six seasons as a defensive assistant on the Lakers' staff, coaching defensive backs (2004-2009) and linebackers (2008-2009). The GVSU defense led the charge during the Lakers' back-to-back undefeated, national championship seasons in 2005 and 2006.
Mitchell and defensive coordinator Mike Tressel have connections that run back to their playing days at Cornell College (Iowa). The pair were roommates and teammates, before both serving as assistants at Wartburg College (Iowa) from 1998-2001 to begin their coaching careers. Tressel joined the Ohio State staff as a GA in 2002 while Mitchell arrived at GVSU to coach the defensive backs in 2004.
Mitchell was a two-time, first-team All-Midwest Conference selection as a defensive lineman during his playing career at Cornell College where he earned a degree in biology and secondary education in 1997. Matt and his wife, Jen, have two sons, Tray and RJ.
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