Kentucky hires Morehead's Mitchell

Mitchell replaces Mickie DeMoss, athletic director Mitch Barnhart announced Monday.

Mitchell was an assistant to DeMoss for two seasons at Kentucky.

"Matthew Mitchell brings incredible passion and enthusiasm for the women's basketball program at Kentucky," Barnhart said in a statement. "He was here at the beginning of the transition of this program and helped lay the foundation for the growth that we've had. He aspires to continue the growth pattern that Mickie DeMoss put in place over the last four years, seeking to take Kentucky women's basketball to championship levels."

DeMoss resigned abruptly after four years at Kentucky's coach, saying she needed "some time to myself right now."

DeMoss, an assistant at Tennessee for 18 years, was 71-56 at Kentucky.

Mitchell also has a Lady Vols connection. He was a graduate assistant at UT for the 1999-2000 season.

"Every move I've made has been a mission to prepare myself for this moment," Mitchell said. "I've also followed my heart and it has led me to Kentucky. Two years ago when I was an assistant here, I felt I needed the experience as a head coach to be where I am today. I'm greatly appreciative of the opportunity that I had at Morehead. I'm ready to be the head coach at Kentucky."

Mitchell had a 30-29 record in two seasons at Morehead State.

Before Kentucky, Mitchell was an assistant coach at Florida for three seasons.

The appointment is pending approval by the UK Athletics Association Board of Directors.

Lady Vols assistant coach Holly Warlick said Monday that she interviewed for the Kentucky opening last week. Barnhart met Warlick at a Knoxville restaurant for the interview. Her chances likely weren't helped by Mitchell's familiarity with Kentucky. Plus a former UT assistant and colleague, DeMoss, had just left the job abruptly.

Barnhart also said he sought Tennessee coach Pat Summitt's counsel on this search.

"I always talk to her about the climate of women's college basketball more than our job opening specifically,'' he said.

"... Her big concern is to see the game of women's basketball served well. She wants to see the game grow. The strength of this league -- the strength of Kentucky -- is important to the strength of women's college basketball. She certainly has great respect for Mickie DeMoss and doesn't want to see this program take a backslide.

"She is very proud of what this program has become because of the people she has mentored. It may seem strange, but her greater concern is for women's basketball and seeing people succeed."