Mitchell returns to Faulkner as Lady Eagles’ top assistant

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (faulknereagles.com) – Jake Mitchell, a four-year starter for Faulkner’s men’s basketball team, is returning to his alma mater as the women’s program’s top assistant, Lady Eagles’ head coach Reed Sutton announced Tuesday.

Mitchell, who owns a bachelor’s degree in history education, played for the Eagles between 2010-2014. A member of the program’s “!,000-Point Club,” the Huntsville native made the All-Freshman, All-Division and All-Conference teams during his career. Also an academic All-American, Mitchell was honored as his team’s Champions of Character representative and was a two-time recipient of the university’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.

“I always knew I wanted to return to Faulkner some day if I was given the chance, so when coach Sutton called me about the job, I knew that’s where I wanted to be,” Mitchell said. “Faulkner has already blessed me in so many ways as a student and I know I will continue to be blessed as a part of the staff. I’m beyond excited to work with coach Sutton and to be able to learn from him and I can’t wait to get started.”

Mitchell will join Sutton’s staff officially on Aug. 1 after completing his master’s degree work at Harding University in Searcy, Ark. Mitchell spent the 2014-2015 season as a student assistant for the Faulkner men’s team, and last season as a graduate assistant for the Harding men’s team.

“I am thrilled to have Jake on our coaching staff, and I think he has a brilliant future in this business,” said Sutton, who is entering his sixth season as the Lady Eagles’ head coach. “I got to know him well while he was here, and I know he understands our values as a program and the mission of our university. The players and parents that know him share my excitement about his addition into our program.”