MARS HILL, N.C. - Former Carson-Newman associate head coach and C-N Hall of Famer Bill Mitchell has joined his second hall of fame in the SAC.

Inducted into C-N's athletics hall of fame in 2019, Mitchell joined Mars Hill's athletics Hall of Fame during the Lions' regular season finale in football.  

Mitchell spent 21 years as Carson-Newman's inside linebackers coach and later, the Eagles' associate head coach. 

Mitchell was an integral part of the assembly of Carson-Newman's stout defenses through the years. Over his two decades on Mossy Creek, Mitchell tutored 30 All-SAC inside linebackers, including eight that earned All-America honors. In fact, Mitchell's units produced an All-American in six of his final 11 years with the program.  Included in that are current Carson-Newman Hall of Famer Mike Clowney and NFL alums Brent and Todd Collins. 

During Mitchell's tenure, Carson-Newman won five national titles, played for four more and won 15 South Atlantic Conference championships.

Mitchell served as defensive coordinator for the Mars Hill football team throughout the 1970s under the Harold Taylor and Claude "Hoot" Gibson reigns. His defensive units led the SAC-8 in three of his first five years and during that same time period, were nationally ranked against the rush several times.

Along with his football coaching responsibilities, Mitchell also served as the track & field coach.

Prior to joining Mars Hill, Mitchell was the head football coach at Dougherty Co. and Westover high schools in Albany, GA from 1963-1970.

Mitchell graduated from Morehead State University in 1963 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. While at Morehead State, he was the captain of the football team and named an All-Ohio Valley Conference Linebacker.