While known for inventiveness on the floor exercise as an Olympic athlete, Rusty Mitchell’s legacy will be that of a successful Division I head coach. Thirty-three years at the University of New Mexico produced 243 wins, a .713 win percentage, 11 Western Athletic Conference team titles, and 53 All-Americans.
Mitchell was twice selected as an assistant on the U.S. Olympic Team coaching staff (1968 and 1972), as well as an assistant for the men’s World Championships Team in 1974.
Beyond coaching, the National Honor Coach and Southern Illinois University Hall of Fame inductee served as Vice-President of USA Gymnastics as well as on the U.S. Olympic Committee.
