Houston Hires Former SEC Women’s Basketball Coach

On Thursday, the University of Houston announced that it hired Matthew Mitchell as the eighth coach in UH Women’s Basketball history via press release.

Mitchell was a three-time SEC Coach of the Year during his 14-year tenure at Kentucky (2007-2020) and had stints as an assistant with the Wildcats from 2003-05, Tennessee (1999-2000), and Florida (2000-03).

“We are thrilled to welcome Matthew Mitchell and his family to the University of Houston,” VP for Athletics Eddie Nuñez said. “I am fully confident that Coach will build a nationally competitive basketball program composed of outstanding young women who will be proud to wear the Cougar uniform, who will earn their degrees and who will be wonderful representatives of the University in the community. He has a tremendous track record of success at every step in his career and leads with high character and integrity. Our Women’s Basketball program is in great hands and with continued support, we will soon be competing for championships!” 

During his time with the Wildcats, Mitchell guided UK to 10 20+ win seasons and seven 25+ win seasons, with nine NCAA Tournament appearances, five Sweet Sixteens and three Elite Eight appearances. He is the winningest coach in Kentucky program history, with 303 wins during his time in Lexington.

“I am incredibly excited and deeply grateful for the opportunity to become the Women’s Basketball head coach at the University of Houston,” Mitchell said. “This is a true honor—stepping into this role in a city with such a rich basketball history. I want to begin by extending my heartfelt thanks to President Renu Khator and Eddie Nuñez for their belief in me to elevate this program to compete at the highest level in the country. Their trust in me means the world, and I’m eager to begin this journey alongside them.”

Kentucky’s calling card under Mitchell was a stifling defense, that the UK website described as a “full-court, trapping, pressure style of defense that was dubbed by many as “40 minutes of dread.”

That sounds like something Cougars’ basketball fans are already accustomed to with Kelvin Sampson coaching the men’s program.

Now, with an experienced and proven winner in Mitchell guiding the women’s program, Houston will hope to become the prominent school in both men’s and women’s basketball for the Big 12 conference.