She is my little bit but she is alot'

Mitchell coaches Sha’Carri Richardson, Mellisa Jefferson and Twanisha ‘Tee Tee’ Terry, who represented USA in the final of the 100 meters at the Paris 2024 Olympics, as well as the 4 by 100 meter

American sprinting coach Dennis Mitchell, the mastermind behind three of Team USA’s brightest female sprinters, has shared insights into the qualities that make Sha’Carri Richardson, Mellisa Jefferson, and Twanisha ‘Tee Tee’ Terry exceptional athletes.

Under Mitchell’s guidance, these stars not only dominated the 4x100m relay at the Paris Olympics—where they were joined by Gabby Thomas—but also shone in individual events.

Richardson and Jefferson claimed silver and bronze, respectively, in the women’s 100m final, while Terry secured an impressive fifth-place finish after overcoming injury challenges. Remarkably, all three individual finalists in the 100m from Team USA are products of Mitchell’s training at Star Athletics.

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Mitchell’s relationship with his athletes is deeply personal. He describes the group as a tight-knit unit that thrives on camaraderie and shared determination.

Mitchell affectionately refers to Richardson as “my little bit, although she is alot” highlighting her fiery determination and relentless drive.

Known for her explosive talent since setting an NCAA record in 2019 during her collegiate career at LSU, Richardson has consistently been a headline-maker. “Sha’Carri went on a rampage last year. She was our number one athlete,” Mitchell shared on Sprint Season 2

At 25, Terry is the eldest of the trio and plays a pivotal role within the group. Mitchell describes her as the “group mom,” a figure of stability and leadership.

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“If something goes wrong, I am calling Tee-Tee,” Mitchell remarked. Terry’s fifth-place finish in the Olympic final marked a significant comeback after injury setbacks, showcasing her resilience.

At just 23, Jefferson is the youngest and embodies a fierce competitive spirit. Mitchell likens her to “a little sister,” whose tenacity is unmatched.

Her journey to the Olympic podium was marked by determination, especially after failing to make the U.S. team for the 2022 World Championships.

Reflecting on that disappointment, Jefferson told Olympics.Com last July: “I told myself then that would be the last USA [international] team that I would not make in my career.”

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Her move to join Mitchell’s Florida-based Star Athletics was pivotal. “When we get on the track as Star Athletics, we are going to be something that you are going to have to deal with,” Mitchell declared.

The athletes themselves credit their shared bond for their success. Speaking about her teammates, Jefferson said

“These girls have literally… they’re my sisters. I love them to death. If it wasn’t for them, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here right now. They pushed me in ways I never knew I could be pushed. The group in itself, it takes you to another level mentally.”

Mitchell emphasized the rigorous training and mental fortitude that define his coaching approach.

“My athletes are some of the toughest trained in the world. You have to be the ultimate warrior. We secretly live through our athletes. We feel the same fire and competitiveness, but we just do not get the chance to race,” he explained.