Carlene Mitchell was named Assistant Coach of the Chicago Sky on Tuesday, January 31. A 20-year veteran of the game, Mitchell joins the Sky after most recently serving as the head coach at the University of California at Santa Barbara for four seasons. In her first season at the helm, she led the Gauchos to the Big West Conference Championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Following the season, Mitchell was named a finalist for the WBCA’s Maggie Dixon Rookie Coach of the Year Award.
Prior to UCSB, Mitchell spent 10 seasons at Rutgers University. Under the tutelage of Hall of Famer, C. Vivian Stringer, Mitchell helped direct the Scarlet Knights to NCAA berths in nine straight seasons and earned the title associate head coach for three seasons. Rutgers enjoyed unparalleled success during her stay, reaching the Sweet 16 five times, the Elite Eight on three occasions and the Final Four and national title game in 2007. In addition to Rutgers, Mitchell served similar capacities at Oklahoma State, Western Illinois and University of Missouri at Kansas City.
Success started at the collegiate level for Mitchell who helped lead Trinity Valley Community College to a 35-1 record and the 1994 NJCAA National Championship crown. Named All-Conference and selected to the NJCAA All-Tournament team, Mitchell played at TVCC for Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer Kurt Budke.
Mitchell still holds the single season assists record (337) in the Lady Cardinals record book. She was inducted into the school’s Cardinal Hall of Fame in October 2010, joining the likes of former WNBA players, Betty Lennox, Shalonda Ennis and Shannon Bobbitt.
Mitchell concluded her collegiate playing career at Kansas State University, graduating in 1996. While at KSU, she played for Brian Agler – current head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks.