Mitchell football is one win from best start with first-year coach, staff full of Tiger alumni

Nathan Cole remembers when he first hired Larry Fitzgerald as a defensive backs coach seven years ago. 

Cole, who spent 21 years as Mitchell's football coach before resigning after last season, told Fitzgerald if he stuck with him for six years, he was going to make sure Fitzgerald took over the program.  

Fitzgerald, a Mitchell alumnus, is not only leading the school's football program now, he's built a coaching staff around former Mitchell players.

"I always knew wherever I was as a head coach, I was bringing those guys with me,” said Fitzgerald, whose staff is built with Mitchell players from the 2008 TSSAA Class 3A state runner-up team. “Because of their mindset, their attitude, their knowledge of the game.” 

Fitzgerald's decision has paid off. He's got the Tigers off to their best start since 1979, starting the year 6-0. If the Tigers win Thursday night against Middle College (4-2), they have their best start in program history.  

"I know that they were going to be the type of coaches I need to bring out everything into the players,” Fitzgerald added. 

Among those joining Fitzgerald’s staff was Keiwone Malone, who holds the TSSAA state record for most receiving yards in a game (358 yards vs. Dyersburg in 2008). He's also tied for the second-most touchdown receptions in a career (57), and ranks fifth in receptions in a career (204) and fourth for most receiving yards in a career (4,065). He went on to play at Alabama and Memphis. He's joined on the staff by Antonio Harris, Danny Wash, Andrew Franklin and Damion Miller.  

A coaching staff from past Mitchell programs and ones that reached a TSSAA championship game was key for Fitzgerald. It showed his players the immense pride the staff had in the Tigers.

Cole also saw how important that was when he decided to add Fitzgerald to his staff years ago. Fitzgerald wanted to pay it forward too.  

“The kids, they love coach Fitzgerald,” Cole said. “And then the staff that coach Fitzgerald brought in played a big part in it because the played for me. They pretty much know the Mitchell way.” 

And the players see the importance of what it means to represent Mitchell on the field.  

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"They all have been to state and they all know how it feels to go to state,” said Kenderrius Robertson, a junior defensive end who leads the team with 19 sacks.  “They want us to go to state just like they did.” 

Fitzgerald isn’t getting ahead of himself. He’s still taking it one game at a time.  

But he can appreciate, regardless of what happens this season, he did it at his alma mater with his friends. Just like he got his shot under Cole.  

"I tell them the same thing coach Nathan Cole used to tell me all the time that God is good. God makes no mistakes," Fitzgerald said. "There’s a reason you’re playing football for Mitchell High School and you’re starting to see that purpose and believe in that reason.” 

Reach Wynston Wilcox at wwilcox@gannett.com and on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @wynstonw__.