Women's Basketball
Mitchell, Bridgette
Bridgette Mitchell
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- bmitch@pitt.edu
Bridgette Mitchell enters her second season as assistant coach for the Pitt women’s basketball team in 2020-21. Mitchell is the Panthers recruiting coordinator and works with the Pitt wing players.
In her first season as the Panthers recruiting coordinator in 2019-20, Mitchell helped the Panthers secure a strong 2020 recruiting class that was highlighted by the signing of Tracey Hueston, the 73rd rated recruit in the 2020 class. Hueston is the highest rated recruit Pitt has signed since joining the ACC in 2013-14. Three-star recruits Liatu King and Taisha Exanor will also join Hueston as freshman for the 2020-21 season while Pitt was also able to secure a pair of transfers in Jayla Everett and Destiny Strother. The five-player recruiting class will be integral in the rise of the Panthers over the next couple seasons.
Mitchell also helped the Pitt wings improve their play all season long. Junior college transfer Gabbie Green grew into a threat throughout the season as she ranked third on the team in scoring (9.6 ppg) while connecting on 60 three-pointers, most in a season by a Pitt junior. She also worked closely in year one with Amber Brown who burst onto the scene during her first season and posted a team-high five double-doubles. Brown finished off her first season averaging 9.1 points and a team-high 7.7 rebounds.
Mitchell came to Pitt after three impressive campaigns as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at James Madison where she helped the Dukes accumulate a 78-26 (.750) overall record and three WNIT appearances.
The Trenton, NJ native helped lead the Dukes to a historic season in 2018-19 as they were able to accumulate a program record tying 29 victories as they finished with a 29-6 overall record including a 17-1 CAA regular season mark. Mitchell guided James Madison to the WNIT semifinals with wins over NC A&T, South Florida, Virginia Tech and Georgetown as the Dukes collected a program record 18 home victories.
Mitchell helped the Dukes to a 23-11 record during the 2017-18 campaign as they were able to advance to the third round of the WNIT.
In her first season at James Madison, the Dukes accumulated a 26-9 record while appearing in the CAA title game and advancing to the third round of the WNIT, hosting all three games at home.
Prior to JMU, she served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for two seasons at Siena College. With the Saints, Mitchell coached the post players and acted as staff liaison to the academic advising and team performance.
While at Siena, the Saints competed in the 2016 WNIT preseason tournament after advancing to the 2015 MAAC semifinals and WBI final.
She began her coaching career in 2013-14 as an assistant at Wagner College.
Prior to her coaching days, Mitchell played her collegiate basketball at Duke University. She competed in 131 games, including 43 starts, and led the 2010 ACC Champion Blue Devils to an Elite Eight appearance in the 2010 NCAA Tournament. She was named to the ACC All-Academic Team as a senior and garnered ACC Honor Roll status three times.
As a senior, Mitchell appeared in all 36 games, earning the start in 26 contests, as she averaged 20.6 minutes, 8.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.1 assists while shooting 44.7% from the floor.
After her time with the Blue Devils, Mitchell played professionally in France for Villeneuve d'Ascq (2010) and for Energa Torun in Poland (2011-12) where she appeared in the European Championships, earning a bronze medal.
Mitchell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Duke with a minor in African American studies and a certification in markets and management studies in May 2010. She is also a member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association.
In high school, Mitchell was recognized as a McDonald's All-American, recording five rebounds, three points and three assists in 14 minutes in the ensuing game. The New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year received the 2006 Naismith Sportsmanship Award and was voted to both the USA Today and Parade All-America Second Teams. She also added Trenton Times All-Prep Player of the Year, Trenton Times All-Area Player of the Year, Street & Smith's Second Team All-America, USA Today Junior All-America and USA Today All-Conference honors to her name.
She finished her time at Peddie School as the all-time leading rebounder (970) and second in career scoring (1,480), averaging 14.7 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game for her career. The four-time First Team All-State selection started every game over her four years on the varsity squad and averaged no less than 10.8 PPG in any season (freshman), reaching as high as 19.6 PPG as a senior. She averaged double-digit rebounds as both a junior and a senior (10.5 RPG, 11.6 RPG, respectively) as well as a minimum of four steals per game her final three seasons (So.- 4.1 SPG, Jr.- 4.5 SPG, Sr.- 5.2 SPG).
Mitchell led Peddie to a 10th straight NJISAA Championship as a senior, dropping 30 points and 24 rebounds in the title game. She was ranked seventh by Blue Star Report, 12th by Scout and 17th by All-Star Girls Report and earned a spot at the Nike All-America Camp. On the travel circuit, she was named an AAU 16U All-American in 2005.
Beyond the Bio
Favorite quote?
Be true to yourself, help others, make each day your masterpiece, make friendship a fine art, drink deeply from good books - especially the Bible, build a shelter against a rainy day, give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day.
Favorite sports moment at Pitt?
Beating Notre Dame in the first round of the ACC Tournament this past season with four freshmen starting. That was pretty memorable.
What do you love most about working at the University of Pittsburgh?
The people! The people are what make Pitt a special place.
What do you love most about working in athletics?
I absolutely love mentoring my student athletes. Seeing their growth day to day, month to month, and year to year is special. Having a positive impact on their lives means a lot to me because I was once in their shoes.
If you could have dinner with any three people who would it be and why?
Beyoncé – because who doesn’t want to have dinner with Beyoncé. I’m not even sure what we’d talk about. I’m sure it’d be life-changing… for her of course.
Michelle Obama – because she is amazing, inspiring, and empowering. I started reading her book but didn’t finish, would love to hear it from her directly.
My mom – She’s always great company. She’s a source of knowledge, joy, and just awesomeness. Dinners with her are always great.
Updated 5/19/20
In her first season as the Panthers recruiting coordinator in 2019-20, Mitchell helped the Panthers secure a strong 2020 recruiting class that was highlighted by the signing of Tracey Hueston, the 73rd rated recruit in the 2020 class. Hueston is the highest rated recruit Pitt has signed since joining the ACC in 2013-14. Three-star recruits Liatu King and Taisha Exanor will also join Hueston as freshman for the 2020-21 season while Pitt was also able to secure a pair of transfers in Jayla Everett and Destiny Strother. The five-player recruiting class will be integral in the rise of the Panthers over the next couple seasons.
Mitchell also helped the Pitt wings improve their play all season long. Junior college transfer Gabbie Green grew into a threat throughout the season as she ranked third on the team in scoring (9.6 ppg) while connecting on 60 three-pointers, most in a season by a Pitt junior. She also worked closely in year one with Amber Brown who burst onto the scene during her first season and posted a team-high five double-doubles. Brown finished off her first season averaging 9.1 points and a team-high 7.7 rebounds.
Mitchell came to Pitt after three impressive campaigns as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at James Madison where she helped the Dukes accumulate a 78-26 (.750) overall record and three WNIT appearances.
The Trenton, NJ native helped lead the Dukes to a historic season in 2018-19 as they were able to accumulate a program record tying 29 victories as they finished with a 29-6 overall record including a 17-1 CAA regular season mark. Mitchell guided James Madison to the WNIT semifinals with wins over NC A&T, South Florida, Virginia Tech and Georgetown as the Dukes collected a program record 18 home victories.
Mitchell helped the Dukes to a 23-11 record during the 2017-18 campaign as they were able to advance to the third round of the WNIT.
In her first season at James Madison, the Dukes accumulated a 26-9 record while appearing in the CAA title game and advancing to the third round of the WNIT, hosting all three games at home.
Prior to JMU, she served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for two seasons at Siena College. With the Saints, Mitchell coached the post players and acted as staff liaison to the academic advising and team performance.
While at Siena, the Saints competed in the 2016 WNIT preseason tournament after advancing to the 2015 MAAC semifinals and WBI final.
She began her coaching career in 2013-14 as an assistant at Wagner College.
Prior to her coaching days, Mitchell played her collegiate basketball at Duke University. She competed in 131 games, including 43 starts, and led the 2010 ACC Champion Blue Devils to an Elite Eight appearance in the 2010 NCAA Tournament. She was named to the ACC All-Academic Team as a senior and garnered ACC Honor Roll status three times.
As a senior, Mitchell appeared in all 36 games, earning the start in 26 contests, as she averaged 20.6 minutes, 8.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.1 assists while shooting 44.7% from the floor.
After her time with the Blue Devils, Mitchell played professionally in France for Villeneuve d'Ascq (2010) and for Energa Torun in Poland (2011-12) where she appeared in the European Championships, earning a bronze medal.
Mitchell earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Duke with a minor in African American studies and a certification in markets and management studies in May 2010. She is also a member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association.
In high school, Mitchell was recognized as a McDonald's All-American, recording five rebounds, three points and three assists in 14 minutes in the ensuing game. The New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year received the 2006 Naismith Sportsmanship Award and was voted to both the USA Today and Parade All-America Second Teams. She also added Trenton Times All-Prep Player of the Year, Trenton Times All-Area Player of the Year, Street & Smith's Second Team All-America, USA Today Junior All-America and USA Today All-Conference honors to her name.
She finished her time at Peddie School as the all-time leading rebounder (970) and second in career scoring (1,480), averaging 14.7 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game for her career. The four-time First Team All-State selection started every game over her four years on the varsity squad and averaged no less than 10.8 PPG in any season (freshman), reaching as high as 19.6 PPG as a senior. She averaged double-digit rebounds as both a junior and a senior (10.5 RPG, 11.6 RPG, respectively) as well as a minimum of four steals per game her final three seasons (So.- 4.1 SPG, Jr.- 4.5 SPG, Sr.- 5.2 SPG).
Mitchell led Peddie to a 10th straight NJISAA Championship as a senior, dropping 30 points and 24 rebounds in the title game. She was ranked seventh by Blue Star Report, 12th by Scout and 17th by All-Star Girls Report and earned a spot at the Nike All-America Camp. On the travel circuit, she was named an AAU 16U All-American in 2005.
Beyond the Bio
Favorite quote?
Be true to yourself, help others, make each day your masterpiece, make friendship a fine art, drink deeply from good books - especially the Bible, build a shelter against a rainy day, give thanks for your blessings and pray for guidance every day.
Favorite sports moment at Pitt?
Beating Notre Dame in the first round of the ACC Tournament this past season with four freshmen starting. That was pretty memorable.
What do you love most about working at the University of Pittsburgh?
The people! The people are what make Pitt a special place.
What do you love most about working in athletics?
I absolutely love mentoring my student athletes. Seeing their growth day to day, month to month, and year to year is special. Having a positive impact on their lives means a lot to me because I was once in their shoes.
If you could have dinner with any three people who would it be and why?
Beyoncé – because who doesn’t want to have dinner with Beyoncé. I’m not even sure what we’d talk about. I’m sure it’d be life-changing… for her of course.
Michelle Obama – because she is amazing, inspiring, and empowering. I started reading her book but didn’t finish, would love to hear it from her directly.
My mom – She’s always great company. She’s a source of knowledge, joy, and just awesomeness. Dinners with her are always great.
Updated 5/19/20
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