Matthew Mitchell calls Ciara’s shout out ‘incredible’

Women’s basketball head coach Matthew Mitchell performs with the dance team during Big Blue Madness on Friday, Oct. 12, 2018 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky. Photo by Jordan Prather | Staff

Matthew Mitchell’s dance at 2018 Big Blue Madness might not have been his best or most creative, but it probably is one of his favorites because of the recognition he’s received from it. 

At Big Blue Madness, Mitchell replicated the dance moves to the song “Level Up” by Ciara, and on Monday morning, Ciara took notice of Mitchell’s dance and gave him credit over Twitter,

“Can you believe that? Would anyone ever believe that Ciara would take note of what had to be the worst rendition of her dance?” Mitchell said at media day on Tuesday. “I continue to be recognized, I don’t know if that was praise, I think it was. I think there was like fire emojis.”

Mitchell said the shout out from Ciara was a big moment for his dancing career, which has featured plenty of memorable dances. Ciara appeared to like the dance; Mitchell however, did not.

“I don’t know that there’s ever been a dancer in the history of dance, or someone who attempts dance, who’s got more positive energy sent toward them for poor dancing,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell, who is entering his 12th season as the head coach of the Kentucky women’s basketball team, dances at Big Blue Madness as a yearly tradition. Mitchell has danced to Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae),” and Bruno Mars jams in years past, and the longer this goes on, the more he wants it to stop.

“We got to think of a good exit strategy because you’ve got to sick of seeing it and I’m sick of doing it,” Mitchell said. “Maybe year 10 will be a good exit strategy.”