Browns historical past: RB Coach Stump Mitchell talks being let go, his school/NFL profession and a lot extra

The “Arizona Cardinals” are the oldest steady skilled American Soccer group in the USA. They started as a fitness center group that may play different athletic golf equipment and gymnasiums, and small-to-medium metropolis groups located regionally the place a day journey on a practice might get them there and again in the identical 24-hour interval.

Very like the Cleveland Browns, the Cardinals are steeped in historical past.

The Cardinals have had eight completely different franchise names starting with the “Morgan Athletic Club” in 1898. In 1901, they turned their third moniker this time known as the “Racine Cardinals.” The group title “Cardinals” was not after the species of birds, however the colour “cardinal red.” Many groups on the time had the names of colours, particularly in professional baseball the place everybody wore the identical uniform simply with completely different colours of leggings.

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Quick ahead to 1987. For years, different NFL golf equipment had checked out Phoenix, Arizona as a spot to relocate. Usually, town was used as a negotiation ploy for a membership to steer the native politicians and group to get what they needed in the event that they determined to stay as a substitute. The “St. Louis Cardinals” lastly took the plunge in a transfer and the “Phoenix Cardinals” started within the 1988 season.

Photograph by Mitchell Layton/Getty Photographs

On the time, all of New Mexico and Arizona favored the Dallas Cowboys as their favourite NFL membership. So, in 1994, the franchise modified its title once more, this time to the “Arizona Cardinals” to assist develop its fanbase regionally.

Stump Mitchell was drafted by St. Louis in 1981, taken within the ninth spherical after a stellar school profession out of The Citadel. In his senior season, he was voted the Southern Convention Participant of the 12 months, named Third Group All-American, and was a two-time All-Southern Convention choice. Mitchell nonetheless holds Citadel faculty information for profession dashing yards (4,062) plus essentially the most dashing yards in a single season (1,647).

After his closing school season, Mitchell was ranked second within the nation in dashing yards behind George Rogers of South Carolina. Mitchell’s numbers that yr topped Herschel Walker, Marcus Allen, Freeman McNeil, Barry Redden, James Brooks, Kelvin Bryant, Sammy Winder, Eric Dickerson, Curt Warner, Butch Woolfolk, and Roger Craig.

In his rookie NFL season, Mitchell performed sparingly on offense as a result of the franchise already had Professional Bowler O.J. Anderson entrenched at operating again. However Mitchell discovered his calling on particular groups as the principle punt and kickoff returner. That season, he had 42 punt returns for 445 yards with a ten.6 yards per return common, one landing, and a protracted of fifty yards. He additionally returned 55 kickoffs for 1,292 yards and a 23.5 yards per return common with a protracted of 67 yards.

Stump Mitchell #30 of the St. Louis Cardinals returns a kickoff

Photograph by Give attention to Sport/Getty Photographs

In 1985, he was lastly the principle operating again and got here via dashing for 1,006 yards on 183 carries, scored seven touchdowns, had a 5.5 yards per carry common, plus caught 47 balls for 502 yards with one other three scores.

He spent 9 seasons with the Cardinals (1981-1989), one with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs (1991), and a comeback yr with the Arizona Rattlers of the Area Soccer League (1993).

When he hung up his cleats with the Cardinals, he was the second-leading rusher in franchise historical past with 4,649 dashing yards, and 1,955 receiving yards, ranked second in kickoff return yards with 4,007, and third in punt return yards with 1,377. At the moment, he’s ranked #108 in NFL historical past in Profession All-Objective Yards.

After his enjoying days, he went into teaching. First, he bought an assistant job with the San Antonio Riders of the World League of American Soccer in 1992. From there, he coached highschool and school earlier than being employed by the Seattle Seahawks as their operating backs coach. Mitchell has coached for 5 NFL golf equipment, together with the Cleveland Browns from 2019-2023.

In Mitchell’s senior yr of highschool, he was named the 1980 State Beginner Participant of the 12 months. Mitchell was inducted into The Citadel Athletic Corridor of Fame in 1987, the South Carolina Soccer Corridor of Fame in 2023, and the Nationwide Excessive College Soccer Corridor of Fame final yr.

If there ever was a “Beard Hall of Fame” began, we might be sure that Mitchell is nominated.

At Camden County Excessive College in Kingsland, Georgia, Mitchell performed soccer, was an outfielder in baseball, and took part in observe. His occasions had been line bounce, triple bounce, 4×100 relay, and 4×400 relay.

Whereas with the Browns, Mitchell’s manufacturing with the operating again room was on full show.

Cleveland completed within the league in dashing yards twelfth, third, 4th, sixth, and twelfth throughout his tenure. The yr after he left, the Browns ended up twenty ninth. Throughout Mitchell’s time, Chubb ranked #2, #7, #2, and #3. The next season was the knee damage. In each the 2019 and 2022 seasons, Chubb shuffled with Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs for the highest spot.

The very best-ranked Browns RB this previous season was Jerome Ford at #38.

Right now, Mitchell lives in Georgia. He has 4 youngsters and eight grandchildren.

Dawgs By Nature’s Barry Shuck caught up with Mitchell to debate how he came upon he had been drafted into the NFL, Nick Chubb’s knee damage, and why he was let go by Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski.

DBN: We understand you have got been requested this 4,000 instances, however let’s get this out of the way in which. How did you get the nickname “Stump”?

Mitchell: My brother Trezzazant. He and I had been tussling and advised my mom you higher get this man earlier than I beat him down like a stump. I used to be quantity 4 of seven children. I used to be six years previous and have been referred to as that ever since. My mother is the one one who calls me by my actual title Lyvonia.

DBN: Out of Camden County Excessive College, you had been provided a scholarship with West Level however you turned it down. Why?

Mitchell: The Naval Academy additionally. Neither was going to permit me to play soccer. It was simply going to be teachers. On the time I used to be small, 155 kilos.

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DBN: We now have solely met three gamers who’ve had their jerseys retired. You make Quantity 4. The Citadel retired your #35. The place had been you if you heard the varsity’s soccer program was going to do that, and who was the primary individual you advised?

Mitchell: I used to be with the Cardinals after they had been in St. Louis. I heard it from Cedric Brown who was a teammate of mine and a yr youthful than me. I advised my mother first. It was an excellent alternative and a enjoyable occasion. Numerous household and buddies got here to see it. My former coach confirmed up and was an excellent day.

DBN: Again in 1981, the NFL draft wasn’t the spectacle it’s at present. How did you discover out that you’ve been taken within the ninth spherical by the St. Louis Cardinals?

Mitchell: I bought a phone name. I used to be really just a little pissed off to be completely trustworthy. I used to be the second-leading rusher within the nation behind George Rogers. In opposition to him, each of us had 167 yards in the identical sport besides mine was in opposition to his protection and his was in opposition to mine at Citadel. Rogers gained the Heisman and was the primary total decide within the draft. That was a draft with a bunch of future Corridor of Famers. (Director of Professional Personnel) Larry Wilson of the Cardinals known as and advised me they’d chosen me within the ninth spherical. I advised him I ought to have gone an entire lot sooner however I used to be going to make their group. There was no query in my thoughts.

DBN: What was your first coaching camp like, and the way did the veterans deal with you?

Mitchell: It was powerful. It was in St. Louis and was sizzling practising on the turf in the summertime. It was powerful. With the veterans, it was completely different as a result of soccer was completely different again then. There was no such factor as free company. Guys knew already they’d a spot on the group. A man within the ninth spherical was no huge deal to them. To the coaches, they favored the blokes taken within the first, second, and third rounds. Everyone else was only a follow participant. That’s the way it was with me. Dick Jamieson was the operating again coach and didn’t significantly look after me – firstly. Otis Anderson was the principle operating again and ultimately noticed my potential as a participant. He stated, “Hey Coach. He’s a player. Let him play.” With Otis talking up for me, it gave Coach Jamieson a unique opinion and he allowed me to play considerably. However I made the group by returning kickoffs and punts. Otis by no means handled me like anyone who was there to take his job – he didn’t have to fret about that. He was an enormous bodily man and fast as all get-out. He left catching balls to myself. He all the time needed to hold the ball in a sport or in follow. There was nobody else like him. He would even take reps on the scout group.

DBN: On the finish of your profession with Phoenix (later renamed Arizona), you had the second most all-purpose yards in Cardinals franchise historical past with 11,985 behind solely Larry Fitzgerald, and are actually ranked #108 in NFL historical past. As a rookie, did you ever think about such a profession?

Mitchell: As a rookie, our particular groups coach Chuck Banker advised me I had no likelihood of constructing that soccer group as a operating again. And that if I had any likelihood of not going again to Camden County, I higher learn to catch kickoffs and punts and return them. I hadn’t completed that since highschool and thought I used to be a operating again. He set me straight straight away. The following day I went on the market with a greater perspective. Ultimately, I bought an opportunity to play on the operating again place. There may be one file I maintain that no person will ever break: 105 consecutive punt returns with no honest catch sign. I had a few fumbles there, however no honest catches.

DBN: You tried to make a comeback in 1993 within the Area League with the Arizona Rattlers below Danny White who gained AFL Coach of the 12 months. The Area idea is nice being indoors, and all of the scoring, but the league has been 19 groups then down to 6, in chapter courtroom, then up and operating once more. Why didn’t the indoor idea catch on with soccer followers?

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Mitchell: It did in sure cities. In Phoenix, it caught on. Perhaps it was due to Danny White who had performed with the Cowboys. We had some good gamers like Hunkie Cooper Sherdrick Bonner, myself, and kicker Luis Zendejas who had performed within the NFL earlier than. Quarterback Paul Justin got here from the Bears. It took me again to highschool mentality the place guys performed each methods. I performed operating again and linebacker which I performed whereas in highschool as effectively. It was lots of enjoyable.

DBN: What initially bought you interested by teaching?

Mitchell: In 1991 with the Chiefs, I went again to return a kickoff, turned, and tore every part in my proper knee – ACL, MCL, and my PCL. All the things. They advised me it was going to be a protracted restoration. I used to be simply getting back from tearing up every part in my left knee. GM Carl Peterson requested me if I had ever considered stepping into teaching and stated he thought I might be good at it. He knew Mike Riley who was the pinnacle coach of San Antonio within the WLAF. I advised Carl completely.

DBN: You will have been a head coach thrice: Casa Grande Union Excessive College, Morgan State, and Southern College. What are some great benefits of operating your personal group, and what did you hate about operating your personal program?

Mitchell: In highschool, it was nice as a result of I had the chance to be honest to the gamers. Everybody needed to earn their spot. Teammates noticed that so there have been no “give me” positions. Guys got here out and earned their spot. These gamers had been crushed down mentally after I bought there. The second yr we made the playoffs and misplaced however ought to have gained. Errors and unhealthy calls are a part of the sport. So far as hating components of the job, I actually didn’t hate something as a result of it gave me a chance to be a supervisor. You all the time hate when guys don’t “buy in.” Some guys all the time wish to take the quick cuts which sadly can have an effect on the end result of a sport. At Morgan State and Southern College, it gave me the chance to be every part: the Basic Supervisor, the pinnacle coach, and to be the mum or dad. I loved each of these stops and put issues in place. At Morgan State, we had 9 coaches on the time and 63 scholarships. We had been utilizing a part of their Pell as a part of their scholarship. I used to be provided the RB coach place with the Chiefs below Marty Schottenheimer and provided $140,000 a yr. The President of Morgan upped my pay from $70,000 to $90,000 if I stayed and made another concessions. I needed to observe via on some participant commitments and stayed at Morgan State which pissed Marty off as a result of they’d already arrange a press convention to announce me taking his RB coach job.

RB coach Stump Mitchell of the Seattle Seahawks

Photograph by George Gojkovich/Getty Photographs

DBN: After teaching at Morgan State, you had been employed because the RB coach with the Seattle Seahawks. How did you get that gig?

Mitchell: Tom Lovat was the offensive line coach after I performed in St. Louis so he knew me as a participant. At Morgan State, we had a proficient offensive sort out named Willie Jones and I believed Coach Lovat was calling me about him. However he wasn’t. He was calling me about myself. They wanted a operating again coach and requested me to interview for the job and I stated sure. Mike Holmgren was the pinnacle coach and went in to speak with him. He requested me if I used to be taking the job. I requested if he was providing the job and he stated no, he wasn’t going to supply the job if I used to be going to show him down like I did Marty. So, I advised him if he was providing the job I might positively take it.

DBN: As a coach, what are the most important variations between the school sport to the skilled ranks?

Mitchell: In school, I felt the accountability of these children and their mother and father. I apprehensive about their well-being. I simply needed to return a child again to his mother and father higher than we discovered him. So far as the sport, it’s only a distinction of how a lot time guys have out there for soccer. Within the professionals, they’ve so many hours at work, however they’ve a lot time to themselves. And the cash to exit and do issues and don’t should commit time for research.

DBN: In 2013 you had been employed again with the Cardinals this time as their RB coach. That was a 23-year span. What was the distinction in regards to the group your second time round?

Mitchell: Michael Bidwell was now not the ball boy which he was after I was enjoying. Now, he was operating the group. Again then he was 11 or 12. I bought a name from Michael and he requested me if can be the operating backs coach. We talked in New Orleans with Bruce Arians who was simply employed as the pinnacle coach. I made extra money as a Cardinals coach than what they paid me as a participant.

DBN: Some of us assume you got here to the Browns when Kevin Stefanski was employed in 2020, however you had been really employed by Freddie Kitchens the yr earlier than as his RB coach. After a head coach will get fired, often all of the assistants get fired, but Stefanski saved you on as his RB coach. What’s that course of like ready round to see in case you have a job?

Mitchell: I didn’t get interviewed by Stefanski. After Freddie bought fired, all of us had exit interviews with the Haslams. My interview took about 45 minutes as a result of we had group there. I used to be requested if we might win with Baker Mayfield and I advised them completely. He was the suitable man for the group. I advised them we simply didn’t handle the scenario proper. I requested them to permit me to be the pinnacle coach. Should you don’t run it proper, you’re going to be in the identical scenario a couple of years later. They requested me if I might proceed to be the operating backs coach and I stated certain. They advised Kevin I used to be the operating again coach. That’s the way in which it’s with lots of these groups now. The Basic Managers decide who they wish to maintain or pair individuals with. RB coaches are often fairly secure as a result of they do an excellent job. Often, they’re coping with the hardest gamers on the group due to ego or persona. Not all of them are like that, however you do have a few of them that you must handle.

DBN: Your first season, the Browns had signed Kareem Hunt from being suspended, drafted Nick Chubb one yr earlier, however Duke Johnson was thought of the principle runner who ended up being traded. Have been you a part of that call to commerce Duke to Houston?

Mitchell: No. I used to be not a part of that call. I liked Duke who was a Miami Hurricane. One factor about all these backs who performed for Miami – they might frickin’ go block. Duke might do all of it. He was a heckuva again, receiver, and a four-down again. I don’t know why they traded him. He was very proficient however past me. He and Nick collectively would have been excellent. Liked the sport and practiced effectively.

Photograph by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Photographs

DBN: You had the duty of grooming Nick Chubb right into a beast within the NFL. What are you able to inform us about his abilities, his perspective, and the quantity of teaching you needed to put into him?

Mitchell: Initially, it was the simplest job I ever had. I gained’t take credit score for nothing. His carries began to go down so I needed his manufacturing to go up and have him common over six yards a carry. That’s precisely the tempo he was on when he damage his knee in opposition to the Steelers. The largest factor I hit Nick on was persistence. He’s a robust again and typically would reduce too quickly on counterplays that he would minimize up too quickly. In the course of the course of a yr, that may solely occur two or thrice enjoying in 16 or 17 video games. And he improved and labored extraordinarily arduous. He broke lots of tackles.

DBN: We thought considered one of your biggest triumphs in Cleveland was the event of D’Ernest Johnson. He got here in uncooked and left a productive again. We actually thought he can be Chubb’s sidekick, particularly after that Broncos sport when he balled out and was named the FedEx Floor Participant of the Week. Why didn’t the Browns maintain him?

Mitchell: I did every part I might for the Browns to maintain D’Ernest. He averaged over 5 yards a carry and labored actually arduous, particularly on particular groups. He improved in go safety, third-down safety, and pass-catching. However typically it’s not what you do however who has the final phrase. In Cleveland, the coaches didn’t have the final say. That was left as much as Andrew Berry. He made these choices.

DBN: When Chubb bought that horrible knee damage in 2023 in opposition to the Steelers, why is this sort of damage so devastating to a operating again?

Mitchell: As a result of you must make so many cuts and keep away from so many individuals. I feel Nick did an excellent job getting back from that damage. I’ve texted him many instances together with final week to let him know he was again. I noticed every part I wanted to see on that two-yard landing run in opposition to Pittsburgh. He needed to come to a sudden cease, make a bounce minimize, after which do all this in a two-yard span. No query in my thoughts he was again and able to go. Now, individuals could query why he’s solely averaging three point-something yards a carry, they aren’t taking a look at the truth that the Browns weren’t going to win this yr. They didn’t keep in mind after they removed the coaches, lots of gamers had been getting back from an damage. And now, you bought them attempting to study a brand new system. Which was terrible as a result of they weren’t going to be practising. The opponents had been going to make the most of the man they’d on the market enjoying because the offensive linemen though they’d huge hearts they weren’t capable of get it completed.

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DBN: When Chubb went down, unexpectedly, your operating again room was in shambles. You had Jerome Ford, who was a fifth-round decide, and Pierre Sturdy, a fourth-round man, who was anticipated to switch one of many league’s greatest operating backs. Did you recommend that possibly GM Andrew Berry attempt to signal or commerce for one more operating again? Or was the dialog simply, ‘Let’s go along with what we bought?’

Mitchell: I instructed to Andrew to herald David Johnson. He performed in Houston with Deshaun. They’d connection within the passing sport when issues broke down. It was an enormous a part of Deshaun’s sport they usually had an excellent relationship and Andrew Berry wouldn’t carry David Johnson in. Plus, I coached David in Arizona. He and Nick would have been a helluva mixture. An unselfish participant and proficient within the receiving portion and would return kicks. In his first season as a real starter, he had virtually 1,000 yards dashing and 1,000 yards receiving. They’d not even carry him in for a exercise. I used to be fantastic with Jerome and John Kelly. Pierre was drafted by Invoice Belichick so I knew there was one thing in him though he lacked just a little belief in himself. Then they introduced in Kareem.

DBN: After seeing Chubb come again from his damage, do you assume he has something left?

Mitchell: There isn’t any query he has one thing left. Christian McCaffrey was damage in Carolina and when he went to San Francisco and had offensive line he bought an opportunity to do the issues he can do. Saquan Barkley goes to the Eagles and their offensive line and typically doesn’t get touched till the second stage and typically by no means. Derrick Henry goes to a group the place the offensive line is sweet and has a helluva yr. There isn’t any query Nick can do, however these guys up entrance you might be relying upon them within the passing sport in addition to the run sport. You understand Coach (Invoice) Callahan ranted and raved about sort out Tristan Wirfs who was there after we picked. However we didn’t decide him and took Jedrick Wills as a substitute. Wirfs has been a Professional Bowler since Day 1 plus has a Tremendous Bowl ring.

I’ve heard all day that Stump Mitchell misplaced his job for being a media leak. I solely know his preseason media appearances had been candid & insightful. Godspeed, Stump. He is also within the beard HOF.

— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) January 18, 2024

DBN: The 2023 Browns gained 11 video games with 5 quarterbacks, made the playoffs, and had been the highest-seeded Wild Card group, but their All-World operating again was gone for the yr. Your gamers liked you. You probably did an excellent job at making this room right into a productive group. But, at season’s finish, you bought the decision. The rationale we’re advised is that you just had been “a media leak.” Is that why you had been launched?

Mitchell: That’s a lie. Folks can say no matter they wish to say. Our conferences with the offensive workers had been presupposed to be on a Wednesday. Kevin went into T.C.’s (McCartney) workplace on Tuesday and advised him he wasn’t coming again, after which into my workplace and stated he needed to go in a unique path. I stated, okay, no drawback. After which he decides to let go of Alex Van Pelt as effectively. They’ll spin it any method they need, that’s a bunch of bullshit. Now, I used to be adamant. Any time we introduced up a dialog a couple of operating again I used to be an enormous David Johnson fan respectively. At all times respectively. And that occurred on a regular basis. Plus, Duce (Staley) had already gotten fired and labored with Andrew in Philadelphia. And he was youthful and was no motive for him to should take heed to me anymore. I transfer just a little slower than I used to do. However I used to be nonetheless vocal. There was a chance for them to herald Duce. However that half was BS. He didn’t have to clarify to me why he needed to go in a unique path. Why did he wish to make a change with Van Pelt because the offensive coordinator when he was with Kevin when he was named Coach of the 12 months twice? These strikes had been loopy.

DBN: Is it your intention to educate once more, and are you wanting to stay within the NFL or possibly the UFL?

Mitchell: I haven’t gotten a name to do this. My intentions are one factor – my actuality is one other. I used to be advised the UFL may be a risk however league commissioner Moose Johnson by no means gave me a name.

DBN: You will have been a return man in your enjoying days. What’s your opinion of the NFL utilizing the XFL kickoff?

Mitchell: They’d some thrilling performs this yr so it wasn’t unhealthy. The league is attempting to remove the powerful hits. I nonetheless noticed some guys taking some licks and a few thrilling landing runs as effectively.

DBN: While you had been a participant within the NFL groups had one dominant operating again like Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, or Eric Dickerson. However groups now are by committee and the RB place has been devalued. With the emergence of Derrick Henry and Saquan Barkley this yr, do you assume groups will revert again to a single workhorse again once more?

Mitchell: The sensible coaches who’ve a again that may do all of it will enable that. However lots of these younger backs don’t go block loads in school. They usually get free releases in safety they wish to get a man out as a result of they’re passing the ball over 60% of the time. If that man exists, I feel offensive coordinator will put their greatest gamers in positions to make performs whether or not catching passes or operating it from the backfield.

DBN: In 2020 when Baker Mayfield injured his shoulder and saved enjoying, if the Browns had sat him and handled the damage early, do you assume Baker would nonetheless be Cleveland’s quarterback?

Mitchell: They’d a chance to get into the playoffs sooner when Baker threw these 4 interceptions in opposition to Inexperienced Bay. He didn’t follow all week and flew him in on the day of the sport on a personal aircraft. They might have gone with one other quarterback that was wholesome. If they’d gotten shoulder surgical procedure on Baker and let Case play throughout the season, Baker would have been prepared for the playoffs. The protection was enjoying effectively that yr. Baker wasn’t the coach – he was the participant. But when they’d have handled the damage, Baker would have gotten wholesome, got here again wholesome, and he can be in Cleveland proper now. Baker is actually the kind of quarterback that Stefanski is best with. He’s not good with a man like Deshaun. Or Lamar Jackson. Stefanski can’t match their expertise. They’ll do something and greater than what he desires completed. Each quarterback he has coached handed for over 300-yards apart from Deshaun. All he needed to do was to not make wits with Deshaun’s expertise. Andy Reid ain’t apprehensive about what Patrick can do – he’s calling his sport and if Patrick makes issues occur, he makes issues occur.

Photograph by: 2019 Nick Cammett/Diamond Photographs through Getty Photographs

DBN: What’s your fondest second of being a Cleveland Brown?

Mitchell: Seeing Case Keenum and D’Ernest Johnson in opposition to Denver enjoying their butts off. They’d the respect of the group due to how they labored. Everyone actually, actually liked Case. That’s why I don’t perceive why after we had been paying Case over $6 million in 2020 when Baker skilled virtually each damage identified to man why we wouldn’t play him.

Thomas Moore contributed to this text