The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Football
- Title:
- Running Backs
Head Football Coach Alex Mortensen named Danny Mitchell UAB's run game coordinator and running backs coach on Jan. 29, 2025.
Mitchell enters his fourth season with the Blazers in 2026 and his second leading the running backs room. After serving as UAB's senior offensive analyst from 2023-24, Mitchell was promoted to run game coordinator and running backs coach prior to the 2025 season.
Since arriving in Birmingham, Mitchell has played a key role in the development of one of the most productive offenses in program history. In 2023, UAB established a school-record 450.0 yards of offense per game, while quarterback Jacob Zeno authored one of the finest seasons in school history, setting program records for completions and completion percentage. During the 2025 season, Mitchell's running backs helped fuel an offense that totaled 4,851 yards and played a key role in UAB's upset victory over nationally-ranked Memphis, rushing for 219 yards in the win.
Mitchell is widely regarded as an innovative offensive mind with experience coaching quarterbacks, running backs and offensive skill positions at multiple levels of football. His coaching acumen has earned recognition from NFL organizations, including selection to the Pittsburgh Steelers' Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship and participation in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' inaugural National Coaching Academy.
A 2023 inductee into the European Pro Football Hall of Fame, Mitchell built an impressive international coaching résumé before arriving at UAB. He served as offensive coordinator for the Vienna Vikings of the European League of Football and helped guide the franchise to a league championship in its inaugural season, earning a nomination for Assistant Coach of the Year.
Prior to Vienna, Mitchell served as head coach of the Osnabruck Tigers in Germany and offensive coordinator and associate head coach of the Carlstad Crusaders in Sweden, helping both organizations achieve undefeated seasons and national championships.
Before returning to the collegiate ranks, Mitchell served as head coach and athletic director at Christian Unified High School in San Diego, Calif. He previously spent several successful seasons as offensive coordinator at The Bishop's School, where his teams captured four conference championships, a Southern California Regional Championship and a berth in the California State Championship game. His offenses established multiple school and regional records, including producing the highest-scoring offense in San Diego history.
Mitchell began his collegiate coaching career at Menlo College before serving as running backs coach at Willamette University. He also held coaching positions at the University of San Diego and San Jose State before embarking on his international coaching career.
A native of San Diego, Calif., Mitchell played quarterback at Willamette University and was also a collegiate baseball player at San Diego Christian College. Following his collegiate career, he played professionally in Europe and earned Offensive Player of the Year honors with the Carlstad Crusaders.
Mitchell is married to his wife, Samantha.
