On Monday, March 31, Pike Liberal Arts School relieved head of basketball operations Jonny Mitchell of his coaching duties. 

Mitchell joined the staff at Pike Lib in the summer of 2023 and was the head basketball coach for both the boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams, as well as serving as an assistant coach on the football team. Mitchell will also be relieved of his teaching duties, effective at the end of the school year. 

Pike Lib Athletic Director William Moguel said that the school was going in a different direction with the basketball program.

“Johnny did a great job for our program but there are things we had to make a decision on in terms of the school side and athletic side of things,” Moguel said. “We are very thankful for the job he did in our basketball program. He is a great coach, a great guy and I wish him well in the future.”

Mitchell led the boys and girls teams to their first postseason appearance this past season and was The Messenger’s Girls Basketball Coach of the Year. The boys team also had its first ever All-State player since moving to the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA). 

“I’ve had a great two years here and am extremely proud of the progress we made in the basketball program,” Mitchell said. “It might have been the worst basketball program in the (AHSAA) when I got here and in two years time we put a kid on the All-State team and both teams made the playoffs with one of the youngest girls teams in the state.
“We now have a youth program with over 100 kids in it and we started a junior high program that has done really well. I’m proud of everything we’ve done here.” 

Mitchell came to Pike Lib in 2023 after three decades of coaching, the previous seven as head boys’ basketball coach at Highland Home. The Troy University graduate has also coached at Crenshaw Christian, Lowndes Academy, Dale County, Straughn, Brantley, Goshen and Kinston during his career. His 2021-2022 Highland Home team won an Area Championship and made it to the Final Four of Class 2A.
“In 31 years of coaching and teaching I don’t think I’ve ever done anything illegal or unethical or anything like that in my career,” Mitchell said of being let go by Pike Lib. “It’s a business, I get that. It’s a hard business that has its highs and lows and this is what happens sometimes.”

Mitchell said he has no intentions of retiring or moving on from the game of basketball. 

“I definitely plan to keep coaching,” he emphasized. “I live in Brantley and will try to find something within driving distance. I’m looking for opportunities and we’ll see where that leads us.” 

Mitchell met with his team on Tuesday and said his message to his players would be that he will always be there for them even if he’s not their coach.

“I meant for this to be a lifelong relationship not just while I was their coach,” he said. “I want them to know that I’m still here for them and that won’t change. I wish them nothing but success.”