Mitchell Promoted to Associate Head Coach
Jul 07 | Women's Basketball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers women's basketball head coach C. Vivian Stringer has announced the promotion of assistant coach Carlene Mitchell to the level of associate head coach.
"I am very excited, both for Carlene and for the Rutgers program," Stringer said. "She is an excellent tactician, strategist and outstanding recruiter. I take seriously the title of associate (head coach) as during my nearly 40-year career I have had only one other individual merit the title. Carlene's hard work at Rutgers has earned her the distinction to be named associate head coach."
Mitchell said, "I am extremely thrilled to be awarded this position. I am honored to work for a Hall of Fame coach and be a member of the staff for an esteemed program like Rutgers."
Mitchell, who recently completed her seventh season on the sidelines, has helped direct the Scarlet Knights to a 160-68 (.701) record and NCAA berths in six of the last seven seasons. Over the past four campaigns, Rutgers has amassed a record of 109-28 (.796) and reached three NCAA Tournament regional finals
She has served as the program's recruiting coordinator since 2004. A native of DeWitt, Ark., Mitchell has assembled some of the finest recruiting classes in her time 'On the Banks.'
The 2007 recruiting class has been ranked No. 3 nationally by both Hoopgurlz and All Star Girls Report (ASGR). The five-member squad, who begin play this fall, feature three Top-10 players and five ranked in the Top-25 individually.
Mitchell hit the ground running in her first year at Rutgers, helping to put together a 2001-2002 recruiting class that was rated 13th in the nation by All Star Girls Report. She continued the success in 2004, boasting a four-member group that was ranked third nationally by the ASGR.
That stellar class was followed by a three-member group that included the nation's No. 2 post prospect, Kia Vaughn, and was rated the 13th-best by Blue Star. The 2006-07 group - current juniors Epiphanny Prince, Rashidat Junaid, Myia McCurdy and Brittany Ray- was ranked the nation's best class by Women's Basketball Magazine.
Prior to Rutgers, Mitchell spent the 2000-2001 season as the top assistant coach at Oklahoma State University. From 1998-2000, she was the recruiting coordinator at Western Illinois University. While in Macomb, Ill., Mitchell helped the Westerwinds make a remarkable turnaround from a 7-19 record in 1998-99 to an 18-11 mark the following season. She began her career as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1997.
Mitchell was the starting point guard as a senior at Kansas State University during the 1995-96 season. She received a bachelor's degree in social science from the school in 1996. Mitchell also attended Allen County (Kan.) and Trinity Valley (Texas) Community Colleges, serving as the starting point guard for the 1994 NJCAA national champions.
