Q & A with Harpeth girls basketball coach Jimmy Mitchell.

Harpeth girls basketball coach Jimmy Mitchell has worn many hats during his 29 years as an educator. He’s been a coach at both the middle school and high school levels, and he’s also coached and is an athletic director at the high school level. Mitchell spoke to the Tennessean's Chris Pool recently about the start of the season.

Chris Pool: How long have you been coaching?

Jimmy Mitchell: It’s been 20 years now. I’ve been in education 29 years, tied mostly to being an AD at the middle school and high school level while teaching math during the day.

Pool: Have you ever wanted to coach boys basketball?

Mitchell: There’s more pure coaching in girls. The 14th man on our boy's team thinks he’s Kobe. Our 14th guy on the boy's team thinks he’s going to play for the Lakers one day. It’s neat, it’s cool seeing what boys can do athletically, cohesively and what they can do playing together but I prefer coaching girls. It’s fun to watch. Girls will try to do what you ask them to do, it’s gratifying. So to answer your question, probably not.

Pool: When did you know you wanted a career as a coach and educator?

Mitchell: I was always active in school, and I had some friends whose parents were teachers. Always being around it. Being friends with teachers kids. When I started school, I was a pre-law, history major, my sophomore year it was law and education major. Funny thing is I studied history and love history, but I’ve never taught history. After I graduated, I got a call from a friend asking me if I wanted to coach basketball at MTSU, so I did as a graduate assistant. They paid for my school, so I got my masters degree in special education. That’s how it all started so to speak.

Pool: Do you find special education rewarding?

Mitchell: Lord yes. There are difficult days and challenging kids. Even the kids that are difficult its not the kids. It’s their world; it’s their support, their environment. Honestly, the kids I have in class are great kids. It’s great, to see a kid who thinks they can’t do something and they graduate. That’s the great thing about high school.

Pool: How has being a coach affected your life?

Mitchell: That’s what its all about, getting cards, getting invites to weddings and parties. I’ve been to several this year alone. They come by the practices, or they ask if they can come to a game. We can talk about compensation and things like that. But to know you were a big part of their lives is really special.