The former Arizona Western College and Yuma Catholic High School football coach and educator died this week.

AWC officials announced that Tony Mitchell died suddenly on Monday at the age of 51.

Mitchell served as defensive line coach for the Matadors football team, which has since folded and went on to win three NJCAA national championships in 11 years, with approximately 200 football players going on to four-year colleges, some in Power 5 conferences including the Pac-12, and several in the NFL.

Mitchell also served as AWC's residence hall director for 14 years and was a strong supporter of black history and worked with campus leaders to organize annual Black History Month events, AWC officials said.

Mitchell then took a job at Yuma Catholic High School assisting students with dual enrollment instruction, a program that allows Yuma County high school students to take classes at AWC, earn an associate degree and attend an annual graduation ceremony.

Last week, Mitchell was out at the AWC football practice field with the Shamrocks football team for summer training.

“Tony's smile and warm presence was felt by all who encountered him and the impact he had on our community will be remembered forever,” AWC Vice President of Student Services Brian Doak said in a statement. “Information about services for Tony will be provided when it becomes available. Our hearts are with Tony's mother, extended family, and his friends and colleagues here and at YC. Tony will always be a part of the Matador family.”

In a statement posted on the Yuma Catholic website, school officials said, “Though Mr. Mitchell only spent one year as a part of the Shamrock family, he made a tremendous impact on our students, players, faculty, staff and parents. Coach Mitchell loved his students and players and they returned the love. He encouraged his students to do more than they believed they could accomplish. Mr. Mitchell helped students become the best version of themselves in the classroom and on the playing field.”