NEW ORLEANS, La. — Xavier University of Louisiana has officially elevated Tyrone Mitchell to head coach of the Gold Rush men’s basketball program, rewarding a longtime member of the program who has helped build Xavier into one of the NAIA’s most consistent basketball programs.
Mitchell enters the 2026-27 season as XULA’s head coach after 11 seasons on the program’s coaching staff. He joined Xavier in 2015 and steadily climbed the coaching ranks, earning promotions to associate head coach in 2018 and co-head coach in 2025 before being named the program’s head coach this month.
“This is more than a new title for me — it is a responsibility I embrace with great pride,” Mitchell said following his promotion. “My goal is to continue developing our student-athletes on and off the court, compete at a high level, represent Xavier with excellence, and build a program that our university and our community can be proud of.”
A Decade-Plus of Building Gold Rush Basketball
Mitchell’s promotion represents the culmination of more than a decade of work at Xavier.
Since joining the program in 2015, Mitchell has been part of a Gold Rush run that produced multiple 20-win seasons, conference championships and NAIA National Tournament success. Xavier captured conference tournament championships in 2020, 2021 and 2023 while also recording NAIA National Tournament first-round victories in three consecutive seasons from 2021 through 2023.
During his tenure, Xavier has gone 223-120 (.650) overall since Mitchell arrived, with eight NAIA National Tournament appearances, two conference regular-season championships and three conference tournament titles.
Mitchell also served as co-head coach alongside Alfred “AJ” Williams during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. XULA went 41-20 (.672) during Mitchell’s time in a head-coaching role before his promotion to the permanent position.
From New Iberia to New Orleans
A native of New Iberia, Louisiana, Mitchell was a standout point guard at Northwestern State University from 2002-06. He remains the Demons’ career leader in steals with 264 and ranks among the program’s all-time leaders with 509 assists.
Mitchell was also a key member of Northwestern State’s 2005-06 team that won the Southland Conference regular-season and tournament championships before pulling off a memorable 64-63 upset of third-seeded Iowa in the opening round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament.
After his college career, Mitchell played professionally in Europe for seven years before beginning his coaching career.
His playing accomplishments were recognized in 2025 when he was inducted into the Northwestern State N-Club Hall of Fame.
Xavier’s Next Chapter
Xavier officials believe Mitchell’s familiarity with the program, recruiting ability and commitment to player development make him the right person to lead the Gold Rush into its next era.
Mitchell has already helped establish a winning culture at Xavier. Now, he gets the opportunity to put his own stamp on the program.
For a coach who spent 11 years working his way up the Xavier bench, the promotion is both a career milestone and a continuation of the work he has already helped begin.
Tyrone Mitchell’s journey at Xavier is moving into its next chapter — this time, as the man leading the Gold Rush.
Source: Xavier University of Louisiana Athletics. (Xavier University of Louisiana Athletics)
