Staff Directory

Joe Mitchin

Title:
Director of Athletics Communications (football)
Email:
Phone:
540-568-3702

Joe Mitchin was named the Director of Athletics Communications at James Madison University on Aug. 17, 2026, taking on the management of the day-to-day operations of the communications team while also serving as the primary football communications contact.

Mitchin joins JMU after serving as Director of Social Strategy at West Virginia University, where he led social media strategy and content publishing efforts for the Mountaineers' athletic platforms, including football and men's basketball. In that role, he oversaw the department's social media presence, managed a team of content creators and student interns, and collaborated with conference officials, national media outlets and student-athletes to enhance brand visibility and engagement.

Prior to his role directing social strategy, Mitchin spent more than three years as an Assistant Director of Athletics Communications at West Virginia, serving as the primary media contact for nationally ranked baseball and men's soccer programs while also supporting the Mountaineer football program. He earned national recognition through the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) for excellence in publications and promotional materials.

Mitchin began his athletics communications career as a graduate assistant in West Virginia's athletics communications office, serving as the primary contact for cross country, track & field and swimming & diving while assisting with football, men's basketball and baseball communications efforts.

His professional experience also includes sports journalism positions with The Independent in Massillon, Ohio, and the Times West Virginian in Fairmont, West Virginia.

A native of Canton, Ohio, Mitchin earned both his Master of Science in Sport Management and Bachelor of Science in Journalism from West Virginia University.

Mitchin resides in Harrisonburg with his wife Amy and their daughter Ellie Mae.