New Black Tornado Football Coach Has Local Ties

The North Medford Black Tornado is expected to formally announce shortly the hiring of Mike Mitchell, who is currently at Sandpoint High in Idaho, as their new head football coach.

The once-storied Black Tornado program has suffered 6 straight non-winning seasons, and Mitchell becomes their 5th. head coach since 2003.

Mitchell attended OSU (1965-67), and earned his Masters Degree at Idaho State, and his Doctorate of Athletic Administration at Pacific Western University.

Mitchell is in his 5th year at Sandpoint, and served as Vice Principal as well as football coach.

The Bulldogs have been to the State Playoffs in 4 of last 5 years. Sandpoint played for the State Championship last fall, losing to Blackfoot, 29-23. Mitchell has won 4 League Titles at Sandpoint, and also won a college conference title at DeAnza College.

Mitchell was at Humboldt St. in mid 90's, as the Lumberjacks' Offensive Coordiantor.

Mitchell began his coaching career in 1972 at South Albany High, and has included runs at three other Oregon high schools, Grants Pass, Hidden Valley, where his 1978 team was the AA state runner-up, and Oregon City, and three colleges, including Montana Tech, as well as Humboldt State, DeAnza College.

Congratulations to Tornado!!