"I'm extremely excited about this opportunity for me and my family," remarked Mitchell.  "The Chargers soccer programs are sleeping giants here in a great soccer community in Huntsville and Madison.  The local youth programs have top-notch coaching and always produce soccer players that can play at the highest level."

Having worked with local youth programs for more than 20 years, Mitchell also brings a wealth of experience having coached previously at Clayton State University, Auburn University at Montgomery, Brewton-Parker College, Oglethorpe University, LaGrange College and Dekalb Community College.

"We are extremely thrilled to bring Mike aboard to lead both our men's and women's soccer programs here at UAH," noted Director of Athletics Jim Harris. "His vast knowledge of the collegiate game and soccer around the southeast will be a vital part of the continued success of our programs.  His excitement and fire to grow soccer not only here at UAH but around the area will be a tremendous asset for the entire soccer community."

A three-time Georgia Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, the Atlanta native has coached 23 collegiate All-America players, six national team players and Hjortur Hjartarson, who was a two-time NAIA Player of the Year.  Mitchell holds a USSF B, NSCAA National Soccer license and is a member of the US Soccer Association and the Georgia State Soccer Association.

"I'm really looking forward to being a part of the soccer community in the Huntsville area," said Mitchell. "My family and I are delighted about becoming part of the UAH family."

An all-conference standout for Division I Georgia Southern, Mitchell eventually graduated from Georgia State with a bachelor's degree in marketing before earning his master's of business administration from Mercer University.

Married to the former Kristi Skipper of Montgomery, the couple has one daughter, Cameron (18) and two sons, Thomas (20) and Evan (12).

Becoming just the fourth men's head coach in over 30 years of soccer and the third women's head coach since the program's inception, Mitchell succeeds Tafadzwa "Lincoln" Ziyenge, who resigned to take over at Division I Arkansas State.

“We appreciate Coach Ziyenge’s years of service both as a player and as head coach”, said UAH Director of Athletics Jim Harris. “This is a great opportunity for him. We hate to lose him, but we wish him all the success in his new position.”

Ziyenge spent 12 years as head coach for the women's soccer program and has carried the Lady Chargers to unprecedented heights. The Zimbabwe native is the program's winningest coach in its short history building a record of 96-90-9, with five Gulf South Conference tournament appearances during his tenure.

He stepped in as UAH men's soccer head coach 11 games into the 2008 campaign. He lead the Chargers to 3-0-2 record in the Gulf South Conference and a 6-7-2 overall mark. Under his leadership, both men's and women's teams earned berths in the GSC Tournament. The Charger men finished second in the GSC during the regular season and advanced to the tournament championship game for the first time since 1999.

Ziyenge was a four-year letterwinner (1993-96) on the UAH men's soccer team. He is first overall in the UAH record books for most goals in a career (since UAH joined the NCAA), most game winning goals in a career (NCAA). He also holds the UAH records for most goals in a season (NCAA), most points in a season (NCAA), most game winning goals in a season (NCAA), and tied for most shots on goal in a season. In addition, he is also second on the list for most points in a career (NCAA), most shots on goal in a career. Ziyenge is ranked third overall in goals scored, fifth in points and eighth in career assists. He is only one of six players to score 100 career points at UAH.

Ziyenge was named Gulf South Conference Player of the Week on three separate occasions in the first year the GSC sponsored soccer. He was also Most Valuable Player in the Mayor's Cup Classic vs Alabama A&M in 1996. Ziyenge also set the standard for numerous GSC records their first year of sport sponsorship.

During the 1996 season, Ziyenge was ranked third in the nation in goals scored. He also led the GSC in the same category, as well as total points. Ziyenge still holds the GSC record for goals in a season with 25. At the end of the '96 campaign, he was named GSC regular season MVP. He was also named GSC Tournament MVP.

A native of Marondera, Zimbabwe, Ziyenge received a degree in Business Administration at UAH. He also played two years, 1997 and 1998, for Huntsville's former professional indoor soccer team, the Fire. He finished the 1998 season as the club's second leading scorer and was selected as the Fire Most Valuable Player.