A trailblazer for the University of Alabama football program is hanging up his coaching whistle.
John Mitchell was one of the first African Americans to play football for the Crimson Tide.
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He played under Paul W. “Bear” Bryant in 1971 and 1972, earning two All-Southeastern Conference honors and an All-American honor from the American Football Coaches Association in 1972. As an assistant head coach, he worked with defensive ends for the Tide from 1973-76 — helping the program to a national championship in 1973. Mitchell’s coaching career in the National Football League started with the Cleveland Browns, but he spent 29 years (1994-22) with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He served as defensive line coach and assistant head coach during his tenure. Mitchell won two Super Bowls in 2005 and 2008 with the Steelers.
He coached Pittsburgh to having one of the most respectable defenses in the NFL.
Mitchell was a pioneer in college and the pros as he decided to retire. He got inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Pittsburgh Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
