Staff Directory
- Title:
- Cornerbacks
- Email:
- Phone:
- (919) 515-7062
BYU ‘87
31st year in coaching, 6th at NC State
During his 31-year coaching career, Brian Mitchell has coached teams that have won five conference titles and made 22 bowl appearances. Thirteen of his defensive backs have gone on to sign NFL contracts.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE:
COLLEGE – Played at BYU (1987-90), helping lead the Cougars to a bowl game in each of his four seasons. An All-WAC cornerback, he still holds the school record for longest interception return, a 97-yard effort against New Mexico in 1989. 13 career INTs stand fifth in the school’s record book, while his five picks in 1989 were a season high. PROFESSIONAL - A seventh-round draft choice of the Atlanta Falcons in the 1991 NFL Draft, he went on to play in 36 games over three seasons for the Falcons (1991-93).
EDUCATION:
Earned a B.S. in social work from BYU in 1995.
PERSONAL DATA:
Born Dec. 13, 1968 in Waco, Texas. He and his wife, Carri, have three children: son Brian and daughters Halie and Mikenzi.
BOWL EXPERIENCE:
AS A COACH – NC State - 2024 GoBowling Military Bowl, 2023 Pop-Tarts Bowl, 2022 Duke’s Mayo Bowl, 2021 Holiday Bowl*, 2021 Gator Bowl; Virginia Tech: 2019 Belk Bowl, 2018 Military Bowl, 2017 Camping World Bowl, 2016 Belk Bowl; West Virginia: 2015 Cactus Bowl, 2014 Liberty Bowl; East Carolina: 2012 New Orleans Bowl, 2010 Military Bowl; Texas Tech: 2009 Alamo Bowl, 2008 Cotton Bowl, 2007 Gator Bowl, 2006 Insight Bowl; BYU: 2005 Las Vegas Bowl, 2001 Liberty Bowl, 1999 Motor City Bowl, 1998 Liberty Bowl, 1996 Cotton Bowl.
COACHING HIGHLIGHTS:
Overall:
- During his coaching career, Mitchell has coached teams that have won five conference titles and made 22 bowl appearances. Thirteen of his defensive backs have gone on to sign NFL contracts.
At NC State
- The Wolfpack ranked in the top 25 in 10 defensive categories in 2023.
- In 2022, CB Aydan White won first-team All-ACC honors (first Pack CB on the first team since 2011).
- NC State led the ACC in scoring defense and passing efficiency defense in 2022, and ranked second in third down conversion defense, first downs allowed, rushing defense and total defense.
- The 2021 NC State defense ranked second in the ACC in scoring defense (19.7 points), third in total defense (331.6 yards), second in passing efficiency defense (111.1) and third in passing yard allowed (207.6 yards).
At Virginia Tech
- Coached two All-ACC corners in 2019. He helped field a stingy 2017 defense ranked second in the nation on third down (26.2%), fourth in scoring defense (14.8 ppg) and fifth in first downs allowed (290).
- In 2016, the Hokies boasted the fifth-lowest opponent completion percentage in the nation (50.1) and ranked 10th with a 111.1 opponent passer rating.
At West Virginia:
- In 2015, WVU’s defense led all Power Five schools by forcing 23 interceptions and ranked second with 31 total takeaways.
- In 2014, WVU’s defense ranked eighth among Power Five teams in third-down defense (31.4%), 15th among FBS squads in terms of forcing three-and-outs.
At East Carolina:
- In 2012, East Carolina tied UCF for first place in the Eastern Division of Conference USA with a 7-1 league record.
At Texas Tech:
- The Red Raiders’ pass defense led the Big 12 Conference in net passing yards in both 2006 and 2007. In 2007, Texas Tech limited foes to 188.4 ypg in that department, a figure that ranked 13th among FBS squads.
At BYU:
- Helped guide the team to five bowl appearances and a No. 5 national ranking following a 14-1 campaign in 1996, as well as back-to-back Western Athletic Conference championships.
- Also served as the faculty advisor to the Black Student Union (1995-02).
YEAR BY YEAR WITH BRIAN MITCHELL
| Year(s) | School | Position |
| 1995-05 | BYU | Cornerbacks |
| 2006-09 | Texas Tech | Cornerbacks |
| 2010-12 | East Carolina | Def. Coordinator/Secondary |
| 2013-15 | West Virginia | Cornerbacks |
| 2016-19 | Virginia Tech | Cornerbacks |
| 2020-pres. | NC State | Cornerbacks |
