NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana announced Wednesday the promotion of Tyrone Mitchell to co-head coach of men's basketball, effective immediately.
        Mitchell will share the workload with Alfred Williams, the head coach since 2016. Williams also will be known as co-head coach.
        "We are thrilled to announce Coach Tyrone Mitchell's promotion to co-head coach of Gold Rush basketball," said XULA Vice President for Student Affairs Curtis Wright. "This new leadership model allows both Coach Mitchell and Coach Williams to fully leverage their unique talents — Coach Mitchell in recruitment, development, and external engagement, and Coach Williams in operations and internal support. Together, their complementary strengths will provide comprehensive guidance for our student-athletes while pushing the Gold Rush to the next level of competitive excellence. Just as importantly, their collaboration will help us curate an electric gameday experience that positions Xavier University of Louisiana basketball as not just a campus highlight, but a staple in the fabric of New Orleans athletics."
        This will be Mitchell's 11th season on the coaching staff. He joined XULA after Williams was hired as head coach at Harris-Stowe for the 2015-16 season, and Williams retained Mitchell when Williams returned to XULA as head coach in June 2016.
        "My title is different today, but the vision and goals for this program remain the same: Win, grow and graduate," Mitchell said. "Thank you, Xavier, for this opportunity."
        Mitchell was promoted to associate head coach during the fall of 2018.
        Gold Rush numbers with Williams and Mitchell on the staff the past nine seasons include:
        • 182 wins and 82 losses for a winning percentage of .679
        • Six 20-win seasons, including each of the last four seasons
        • Three conference tournament championships in four seasons — Gulf Coast Athletic in 2020 and 2021, Red River Athletic in 2023 — after 23 consecutive seasons without a tournament title
        • Three consecutive seasons — 2021, 2022 and 2023 — with first-round victories at NAIA nationals after only one victory from 1974-2020
        Mitchell, 44, is a native of New Iberia, La. He was a standout point guard at Northwestern State University from 2002-06 and played seven years professionally in Europe. Mitchell still holds the NSU career record of 264 steals, and he was a starter when the Demons upset third-seeded Iowa 64-63 at Auburn Hills, Mich., in the first round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament.
        Mitchell will be inducted Oct. 4 as a member of the N-Club Hall of Fame at his alma mater.
        XULA is a longtime NAIA member and in its fifth and final season in the Red River. XULA will become a full-time member of the Southern States Athletic Conference July 1, 2026. XULA's 37 seasons of 20-or-more victories are the most in the history of Louisiana men's college basketball. XULA in 2024-25 was 21-9 overall, 19-5 (second place) in the Red River and qualified for NAIA nationals for the 16th time in 20 seasons.

What they say about Tyrone Mitchell
Mike McConathy, retired Northwestern State University men's basketball head coach
        "The thing that stands out about Tyrone, and this is huge to me, are his leadership capabilities and his willingness to sacrifice for the good of everybody else. There were things he took care of as a Northwestern team member that nobody else would step up and do. Tyrone has been training for this position since the start of his playing career. You could see it in his formative years as a player."
 
Alfred Williams, XULA men's basketball co-head coach
        "I am happy and excited for Tyrone. Tyrone is a talented coach and recruiter. He has worked hard for 10 years at Xavier and played a big role in our many accomplishments."
 
Kevin Johnson, Southern University men's basketball head coach
        "I'm so excited for Coach Mitchell and this new opportunity. Xavier's men's basketball program is as strong as ever under the leadership of coaches Mitchell and Williams. It's so refreshing to see when someone is rewarded for their labor. Tyrone has paid his dues, and kudos to Xavier for recognizing that."

Ray McCallum, Tulane University men's basketball associate head coach
        "Tyrone Mitchell is a great person who really cares about young people. That's the key. He loves the game. He's dedicated to the game. He wants to help guys reach their potential and be the best he can be. He brings the energy, and he's passionate. He's a great motivator of young people. He's ready to be a head coach, and he's earned it, too."

Photo of Tyrone Mitchell by Yamlak Tsega