Grand Valley State head football coach Matt Mitchell announced tonight that he will be stepping down as head coach of the Lakers to pursue other coaching opportunities.
Mitchell concluded his 13th year at the helm of the Grand Valley State football program in 2022, guiding the Lakers to the 2022 GLIAC Championship, a number one ranking in the AFCA and D2football national polls, and a berth in the NCAA Super Region 3 final. Mitchell, who compiled a mark of 117-31 (.790) in 12 playing seasons (did not play in covid year) of football, guided the Lakers to seven NCAA DII Playoff appearances, two NCAA DII National Semifinal appearances, three GLIAC Championships, three GLIAC North Division titles, and two undefeated regular seasons. His 117 wins rank second all-time in the Laker annals to Brian Kelly's 118 wins. In addition, Mitchell was 10-7 in NCAA DII playoff action as a head coach and led the Lakers to 10 or more wins in a season seven times. In 19 years as a part of the Laker football program (13 as head coach and six as an assistant), Mitchell was a part of two NCAA DII National Championships, coached in three NCAA DII Championship games, six NCAA semifinal contests, and 11 NCAA quarterfinal games.
"I am so thankful to have been a part of the Grand Valley State football program and Grand Valley State University," said Mitchell. "Grand Valley State is a special place, and I built so many wonderful relationships with our players, current and former, our coaching staff, the athletics administration, the football alumni, and within the University. It was an honor to recruit and lead the young men that put so much time and effort into the culture that is Grand Valley State football," added Mitchell.
Grand Valley State finished the 2022 regular season undefeated, claimed the GLIAC Championship, and regained the top spot in the national polls. The Lakers played seven games against ranked opponents during the 2022 campaign. GVSU finished the 2022 campaign ranking in the top 20 of 20 statistical categories, including five among the top 10. Grand Valley State landed 22 players on the All-GLIAC team and tallied four league Player of the Year honors. Nine different Lakers earned All-America honors following the 2022 season.
"We deeply appreciate the leadership Matt Mitchell has provided over the last 13 years as the head coach of our football program," said Director of Athletics Keri Becker. "He developed relationships that will last a lifetime and implemented a strong culture of brotherhood and mentorship that gave our student-athletes the best chance for success on and off the field. He assisted our players in succeeding not only on the playing field, but also in life," added Becker.
Becker will begin a search for the eighth head coach in Grand Valley State football history immediately.
