Stump Mitchell

Lyvonia Albert "Stump" Mitchell (born March 15, 1959) is an American football coach and former player who currently serves as the running backs coach for the West Georgia Wolves. He previously served in the same role for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He served as head football coach at Morgan State University from 1996 to 1998 and Southern University from 2010 to 2012, compiling an overall college football record of 14–42. Mitchell played collegiately at The Citadel and thereafter was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a running back and return specialist for the Cardinals from 1981 to 1989.

Early life Mitchell's football career began at Camden County High School, Camden County, Georgia. He played college football for The Citadel and holds school records for rushing yards in a season (1,647) and career (4,062). A three-year starter at tailback, he was a two-time all Southern Conference selection. As a senior in 1980 he was the second leading rusher in NCAA Division I-A behind Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers and was named a Third-Team Associated Press All-American; he was named Southern Conference Player of the Year and the South Carolina Amateur Athlete of the Year.

Mitchell also participated in track and field competition at The Citadel, recording a 23-foot 3 inch jump in 1981.

Playing career Mitchell was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth round (226th pick overall) of the 1981 NFL draft. As a 5'9", 188 lbs. running back, Mitchell played for the Cardinals from 1981 to 1989 and ended his NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1990; he made a brief comeback with the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League in 1993. His best year as a pro was during the 1985 season when he rushed for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns, while also contributing 502 yards and 3 touchdowns as a receiver. In 10 NFL seasons he rushed 986 times for 4,647 yards and scored 32 touchdowns, he has the second most all purpose yards in Cardinals franchise history with 11,985 behind only Larry Fitzgerald. He finished with a 6–18 overall record. Defensive coordinator Dawson Odums was named as the interim coach of the Jaguars. in February 2017. In 2019, Mitchell joined the Cleveland Browns as the running backs coach. The following season, even with the Browns’ head coaching change, Stump was retained as the running backs coach. On January 17, 2024, days after a loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round, Browns' head coach Kevin Stefanski fired Mitchell. Beginning in Spring 2026, Michell took a position of senior advisor at The Citadel.

Personal life Mitchell is a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity. His older brother called him "Stump", because he was never intimidated by playing with kids bigger than he was. Mitchell is married to his wife Rita Mitchell and a father of four including, actress Gail Bean.

Head coaching record College