PITTSBURGH – Pitt women's basketball head coach Lance White announced the addition of Bridgette Mitchell as an assistant coach to his coaching staff on Friday morning. Mitchell comes to the Panthers after three very successful seasons at James Madison.
"I am extremely excited about the addition of Bridgette Mitchell to our staff," said second-year head coach Lance White. "She brings a passion for the game and a work ethic that will propel us forward for many years to come. Her experience as a player in the ACC and also at the professional level will bring an invaluable asset to our staff. We are thrilled that she is officially a Pitt Panther!"
Mitchell comes the Pittsburgh after three impressive campaigns as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at James Madison where she helped the Dukes accumulate a 78-26 (.750) overall record and three WNIT appearances.
The Trenton, NJ native helped lead the Dukes to a historic season in 2018-19 as they were able to accumulate a program record tying 29 victories as they finished with a 29-6 overall record including a 17-1 CAA regular season mark. Mitchell guided James Madison to the WNIT semifinals with wins over NC A&T, South Florida, Virginia Tech and Georgetown as the Dukes collected a program record 18 home victories.
Mitchell helped the Dukes to a 23-11 record during the 2017-18 campaign as they were able to advance to the third round of the WNIT.
In her first season at James Madison, the Dukes accumulated a 26-9 record while appearing in the CAA title game and advancing to the third round of the WNIT, hosting all three games at home.
In her first season, the Dukes went 26-9 overall. They appeared in the CAA title game and advanced to the third round of the WNIT, hosting all three games at home.
Prior to JMU, she served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for two seasons at Siena College. With the Saints, Mitchell coached the post players and acted as staff liaison to the academic advising and team performance.
While at Siena, the Saints competed in the 2016 WNIT preseason tournament after advancing to the 2015 MAAC semifinals and WBI final.
She began her coaching career in 2013-14 as an assistant at Wagner College.
Prior to her coaching days, Mitchell played her collegiate basketball at Duke University. She competed in 131 games, including 43 starts, and led the 2010 ACC Champion Blue Devils to an Elite Eight appearance in the 2010 NCAA Tournament. She was named to the ACC All-Academic Team as a senior and garnered ACC Honor Roll status three times.
As a senior, Mitchell appeared in all 36 games, earning the start in 26 contests, as she averaged 20.6 minutes, 8.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.1 assists while shooting 44.7% from the floor.
After her time with the Blue Devils, Mitchell played professionally in France for Villeneuve d'Ascq (2010) and for Energa Torun in Poland (2011-12) where she appeared in the European Championships, earning a bronze medal.
Mitchell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Duke with a minor in African American studies and a certification in markets and management studies in May 2010. She is also a member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.
In high school, Mitchell was recognized as a McDonald's All-American, recording five rebounds, three points and three assists in 14 minutes in the ensuing game. The New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year received the 2006 Naismith Sportsmanship Award and was voted to both the USA Today and Parade All-America Second Teams. She also added Trenton Times All-Prep Player of the Year, Trenton Times All-Area Player of the Year, Street & Smith's Second Team All-America, USA Today Junior All-America and USA Today All-Conference honors to her name.
She finished her time at Peddie School as the all-time leading rebounder (970) and second in career scoring (1,480), averaging 14.7 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game for her career. The four-time First Team All-State selection started every game over her four years on the varsity squad and averaged no less than 10.8 PPG in any season (freshman), reaching as high as 19.6 PPG as a senior. She averaged double-digit rebounds as both a junior and a senior (10.5 RPG, 11.6 RPG, respectively) as well as a minimum of four steals per game her final three seasons (So.- 4.1 SPG, Jr.- 4.5 SPG, Sr.- 5.2 SPG).
Mitchell led Peddie to a 10th straight NJISAA Championship as a senior, dropping 30 points and 24 rebounds in the title game. She was ranked seventh by Blue Star Report, 12th by Scout and 17th by All-Star Girls Report and earned a spot at the Nike All-America Camp. On the travel circuit, she was named an AAU 16U All-American in 2005.
With the addition of Mitchell, White's coaching staff is complete for his second season at the helm of the Panthers.
"I am extremely excited about the addition of Bridgette Mitchell to our staff," said second-year head coach Lance White. "She brings a passion for the game and a work ethic that will propel us forward for many years to come. Her experience as a player in the ACC and also at the professional level will bring an invaluable asset to our staff. We are thrilled that she is officially a Pitt Panther!"
Mitchell comes the Pittsburgh after three impressive campaigns as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at James Madison where she helped the Dukes accumulate a 78-26 (.750) overall record and three WNIT appearances.
The Trenton, NJ native helped lead the Dukes to a historic season in 2018-19 as they were able to accumulate a program record tying 29 victories as they finished with a 29-6 overall record including a 17-1 CAA regular season mark. Mitchell guided James Madison to the WNIT semifinals with wins over NC A&T, South Florida, Virginia Tech and Georgetown as the Dukes collected a program record 18 home victories.
Mitchell helped the Dukes to a 23-11 record during the 2017-18 campaign as they were able to advance to the third round of the WNIT.
In her first season at James Madison, the Dukes accumulated a 26-9 record while appearing in the CAA title game and advancing to the third round of the WNIT, hosting all three games at home.
In her first season, the Dukes went 26-9 overall. They appeared in the CAA title game and advanced to the third round of the WNIT, hosting all three games at home.
Prior to JMU, she served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for two seasons at Siena College. With the Saints, Mitchell coached the post players and acted as staff liaison to the academic advising and team performance.
While at Siena, the Saints competed in the 2016 WNIT preseason tournament after advancing to the 2015 MAAC semifinals and WBI final.
She began her coaching career in 2013-14 as an assistant at Wagner College.
Prior to her coaching days, Mitchell played her collegiate basketball at Duke University. She competed in 131 games, including 43 starts, and led the 2010 ACC Champion Blue Devils to an Elite Eight appearance in the 2010 NCAA Tournament. She was named to the ACC All-Academic Team as a senior and garnered ACC Honor Roll status three times.
As a senior, Mitchell appeared in all 36 games, earning the start in 26 contests, as she averaged 20.6 minutes, 8.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.1 assists while shooting 44.7% from the floor.
After her time with the Blue Devils, Mitchell played professionally in France for Villeneuve d'Ascq (2010) and for Energa Torun in Poland (2011-12) where she appeared in the European Championships, earning a bronze medal.
Mitchell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Duke with a minor in African American studies and a certification in markets and management studies in May 2010. She is also a member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.
In high school, Mitchell was recognized as a McDonald's All-American, recording five rebounds, three points and three assists in 14 minutes in the ensuing game. The New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year received the 2006 Naismith Sportsmanship Award and was voted to both the USA Today and Parade All-America Second Teams. She also added Trenton Times All-Prep Player of the Year, Trenton Times All-Area Player of the Year, Street & Smith's Second Team All-America, USA Today Junior All-America and USA Today All-Conference honors to her name.
She finished her time at Peddie School as the all-time leading rebounder (970) and second in career scoring (1,480), averaging 14.7 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game for her career. The four-time First Team All-State selection started every game over her four years on the varsity squad and averaged no less than 10.8 PPG in any season (freshman), reaching as high as 19.6 PPG as a senior. She averaged double-digit rebounds as both a junior and a senior (10.5 RPG, 11.6 RPG, respectively) as well as a minimum of four steals per game her final three seasons (So.- 4.1 SPG, Jr.- 4.5 SPG, Sr.- 5.2 SPG).
Mitchell led Peddie to a 10th straight NJISAA Championship as a senior, dropping 30 points and 24 rebounds in the title game. She was ranked seventh by Blue Star Report, 12th by Scout and 17th by All-Star Girls Report and earned a spot at the Nike All-America Camp. On the travel circuit, she was named an AAU 16U All-American in 2005.
With the addition of Mitchell, White's coaching staff is complete for his second season at the helm of the Panthers.
