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The Kentucky Wildcats women’s basketball team has just been hit with devastating news as the 2020-21 season begins soon.
On Thursday, the school announced that head coach Matthew Mitchell had retired from training. UK Athletics Director Mitch Barnhart has appointed associate head coach Kyra Elzy as interim head coach.
Mitchell underwent successful brain surgery this offseason.
“After long conversations with my family and Mr. Barnhart, I decided to retire from training and I did indeed step down as head coach at Kentucky,” Mitchell said in a press release. . “It was a tough decision and I know the timing isn’t ideal, but I don’t think I can give the job what it demands right now. As it received a lot of publicity, I had a hectic offseason with my injury and the surgery that followed. I have been open to the fact that the surgery and the recovery process has changed my life and the lives of my family. As a result, my priorities towards my family and my faith became even higher than before and it led me to make this decision.
“While so much about today is sad because I will miss the relationships and people who have consistently raised my family and myself over the past 13 years, I am resolute in my decision and comfortable to start the next chapter of my life. To the current players, thank you for all the support and love you have shown me, not only this year, but in recent years. Each of you has truly left a lasting impact on me and I will treasure our time together. To my former players, assistant coaches and support staff – each of you has made me a better person and I will always be listening and a word of encouragement whenever you need it. I would also be remiss if I did not thank Mr Barnhart, Lee T. Todd and Eli Capilouto for their commitment and support to women’s basketball in Kentucky and for giving me many years ago a chance to. to be part of this great university.
“At Big Blue Nation 13 years ago you welcomed my family and I with open arms and Jenna and I are eternally grateful. Kentucky is our home and this university and this community is beautifully unique and special and we are so lucky to have this place in our lives. Finally, I would like to thank Kyra Elzy, Niya Butts, Amber Smith, Amy Tilley and all of our current support staff for all of their hard work during the offseason and preseason as the program navigated uncharted waters. . I believe with all my heart that the best place for a young woman to go to college and become a better person ready to take on what society has in store is at the University of Kentucky.
“I’m true to that belief because I know the people in this program spend every second of every day focusing on how to improve the lives of others. Kyra has done an incredible job running the program over the past few months. She is one of the best coaches in college basketball and has shown that throughout her career as a top tactician, elite scout and, most importantly, she is of the highest character. I have the utmost confidence in her to lead Kentucky women’s basketball to future success.
Mitchell retires with a career record of 333-162, including a 303-133 mark at Kentucky.
“As our most successful coach of all time, Matthew Mitchell has led us through so many great moments in Kentucky basketball history, with over 300 wins, an SEC championship and numerous appearances in the league. NCAA tournament, ”Barnhart said. “He has been a great ambassador for the University of Kentucky, on and off the field, bringing an energy and a style of play that has made the game fun for players and fans. Additionally, Matthew and Jenna have woven themselves into the fabric of the community with immense generosity of time, treasure and spirit. Matthew, Jenna and their children will always be part of the Wildcat family and we wish them the best as they enter the next stage of their lives.
This will be the first head coaching position for Elzy, who has served as an NCAA assistant coach since 2002, including associate head coaching titles at Kentucky and Tennessee.
“Coach Mitchell means so much to me and I owe him a great deal of gratitude for his guidance throughout my coaching career,” said Elzy. “It’s not an easy day for any of us as we face his decision to retire. I immediately focus on our players and make sure they deal with this change that has happened so suddenly. As you can understand, this was difficult for them to deal with. We have met the players and their families tonight and have assured them that this program will be based on the same principles in the future. I want to thank Mr Barnhart, President Capilouto and our administration for trusting me as interim head coach. Coach Mitchell has set this program on a path to remarkable success, and as interim head coach I promise our staff will work tirelessly to ensure the program continues to build on the success that Coach Mitchell had in Kentucky.
“Kyra has been by Matthew’s side for a lot of the success we’ve had and she is a proven teacher, leader and recruiter,” Barnhart said of Elzy. “We look forward to spending more time with her as she further develops her style and philosophy while leading us to the next chapter in Kentucky basketball.”
Above all, I hope Mitchell is well and healthy as he heads into the sunset.
And thanks for the memories, coach.
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