MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis is mourning the passing of former football assistant coach Eldridge "Pete" Mitchell. Mitchell passed away on Sept. 17 at the age of 87.
The 2009 Murray Armstrong Award, Mitchell came to the University of Memphis in 1970 as an assistant football coach and recruiter under former head coach Billy J. Murphy and remained on the staffs of Fred Pancoast and Richard Williamson through the 1975 season. Mitchell was the first Black coach in program history.
"The entire city of Memphis and our football program mourn the loss of Coach Mitchell," Memphis head football coach Ryan Silverfield remarked.