EDNA òòò½ÊÓƵ” Jimmie Mitchell will not return as Ednaòòò½ÊÓƵ™s athletic director and head football coach next season.
Mitchell was reassigned to a different position at Monday nightòòò½ÊÓƵ™s board of trustees at his request.
Mitchell made the request after the trustees voted not to extend his contract, which runs through the 2025-2026 school year, at an earlier meeting.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI asked them to reassign me because of the climate around our board right now,òòò½ÊÓƵ said Mitchell, who did not attend the meeting. òòò½ÊÓƵœI know thatòòò½ÊÓƵ™s not good for getting another job, but itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s the truth. The truth will set you free.òòò½ÊÓƵ
The trustees went into executive session for just under two hours before Edna Superintendent Robert Oòòò½ÊÓƵ™Connor confirmed Mitchellòòò½ÊÓƵ™s reassignment and said the district would open up the position.
òòò½ÊÓƵœCoach Mitchell has done a great job for us in the years heòòò½ÊÓƵ™s been here,òòò½ÊÓƵ Oòòò½ÊÓƵ™Connor said. òòò½ÊÓƵœHe has taken the kids to a higher level in both boys and girls sports.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Mitchell thanked Oòòò½ÊÓƵ™Connor for his support.
òòò½ÊÓƵœHe has always been good to me and supported our program,òòò½ÊÓƵ Mitchell said of Oòòò½ÊÓƵ™Connor.
When asked why he thought Mitchell made the decision to be reassigned, Oòòò½ÊÓƵ™Connor said, òòò½ÊÓƵœThereòòò½ÊÓƵ™s rumors that go around and different things. I donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t think in the long run he (Mitchell) wanted to leave.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI think the board wanted him to run a tighter ship,òòò½ÊÓƵ he added. òòò½ÊÓƵœItòòò½ÊÓƵ™s different. He has seven bosses and most people have to answer to one.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Mitchell has been at Edna for five seasons. He had an overall record of 54-15 at Edna, and a district record of 29-2.
He led the Cowboys to playoff appearances in each of his five seasons, and to the state semifinals the past three seasons.
Mitchell has been a coach for 33 seasons, and was previously a head coach at Sinton, Sealy, Beeville and Manor. He has an overall record of 165-78.
Oòòò½ÊÓƵ™Connor said Edna would act quickly to hire Mitchellòòò½ÊÓƵ™s replacement.
