Mitch Stewart begins his second season as the offensive coordinator at Samford, working specifically with the wide receivers.
In Stewart’s first season at Samford, the offense led the Southern Conference in scoring offense, total offense, passing offense and pass efficiency. Five offensive players were named to the All-SoCon team, including Player of the Year and All-American quarterback Liam Welch. Wide receiver Ty King had a break-out year, finishing second in the SoCon in receiving yards per game and third in receptions per game.
Stewart was the head coach at Murray State from 2015 to 2019. During his time in charge of the Racers’ program, Stewart led K.D. Humphries to becoming the program’s all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, pass attempts and pass completions.
Stewart’s 2018 team posted the program’s best season in seven years. Six players off that team earned All-OVC honors. Stewart also led the Racers to the largest comeback in program history, overcoming a 31-point deficit to defeat Southeast Missouri.
His Murray State offenses ranked either first or second in the OVC in four of his five seasons, including leading the league in 2015 and 2016.
Prior to being the head coach at Murray State, Stewart served as MSU’s offensive coordinator under current Samford head coach Chris Hatcher from 2011-14, and as the program’s wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator in 2010.
As the offensive coordinator, Stewart’s offenses consistently ranked among the OVC and national leaders in passing offense and total offense. His 2013 unit also rushed for 1,886 yards, the most for the Racers in nearly a decade.
During the 2010 season, while coaching the team’s wide receivers, Stewart led the receivers to a pair of school records. Wide receiver Marcus Harris left MSU as the all-time leader in receptions (216) and yards (2,471) and earned All-America honors from the Associated Press and The Sports Network.
Prior to coming to Murray State, Stewart spent three seasons on the coaching staff at Georgia Southern, also under Hatcher. He worked with the team’s wide receivers and handled team travel. In his second season, the Eagles’ offense led the SoCon and ranked 20th nationally in passing offense.
In 2006, Stewart served as the offensive coordinator at Newnan High School. The NHS team won its first region title in 14 years and qualified for the state playoffs that season.
Stewart is a 2005 graduate of Valdosta State with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He and his wife, Rikki, have two daughters, Stella and Emerson.
