University of Memphis Athletics
Memphis Mourns the Passing of Eldridge “Pete” Mitchell
Sep 21, 2021 | Football
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. "He was a pioneer, who accomplished so many wonderful things in his lifetime. We are forever grateful for his contributions and the standard he set."
A native of Memphis, Mitchell served as a head football coach and teacher at Melrose High School for 13 years, winning two league championships and tying for a third. After the MIAA was formed for city-wide competition, Mitchell coached the Golden Wildcats to a THSAA state championship in 1964 and was named the WLOK Coach of the Year four times (1963, 1964, 1967 and 1968). He left coaching in 1969 to become an assistant athletic director at the MIAA under Dean Ehlers.
In 1975, he formed Pete Mitchell and Associates, Inc., working as a licensed insurance agent and real estate agent. He was named the National Business League Outstanding Businessman of the Year and grew his small business to one staff with employees experienced in all areas of insurance, representing over 100 different companies. In 1984, he was recognized for Excellence and Contribution in Sports by Operation PUS and in 1999, he was inducted to the Vanguard Hall of Fame.
Mitchell also earned the following awards with his business:
• 3x "Benny Award" Winner, awarded by the Black Business Association
• 2017 "M/WBE Quality Assurance Business of the Year", awarded by The Mid-South Minority Business Council Continuum
• 2003 "Flame Award" Winner, awarded by Memphis, Light, Gas, and Water, in recognition of the agency's perseverance, dedication, growth, and contributions to the local economy
• 2002 – "Helping Hand Award", awarded by the Shelby County Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance for providing excellent service to their vendors
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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. "He was a pioneer, who accomplished so many wonderful things in his lifetime. We are forever grateful for his contributions and the standard he set."
A native of Memphis, Mitchell served as a head football coach and teacher at Melrose High School for 13 years, winning two league championships and tying for a third. After the MIAA was formed for city-wide competition, Mitchell coached the Golden Wildcats to a THSAA state championship in 1964 and was named the WLOK Coach of the Year four times (1963, 1964, 1967 and 1968). He left coaching in 1969 to become an assistant athletic director at the MIAA under Dean Ehlers.
In 1975, he formed Pete Mitchell and Associates, Inc., working as a licensed insurance agent and real estate agent. He was named the National Business League Outstanding Businessman of the Year and grew his small business to one staff with employees experienced in all areas of insurance, representing over 100 different companies. In 1984, he was recognized for Excellence and Contribution in Sports by Operation PUS and in 1999, he was inducted to the Vanguard Hall of Fame.
Mitchell also earned the following awards with his business:
• 3x "Benny Award" Winner, awarded by the Black Business Association
• 2017 "M/WBE Quality Assurance Business of the Year", awarded by The Mid-South Minority Business Council Continuum
• 2003 "Flame Award" Winner, awarded by Memphis, Light, Gas, and Water, in recognition of the agency's perseverance, dedication, growth, and contributions to the local economy
• 2002 – "Helping Hand Award", awarded by the Shelby County Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance for providing excellent service to their vendors
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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