Mitchell, who has been with KOCO for 18 years, called the move to Texas the toughest decision he's ever had to make.
“It's all very bittersweet,” he said. “I think it was a combination of a perfect storm — if you want to use a weather term — of an opportunity there. I've loved my time [at KOCO], but after a while, you think, 'Well, what else can I do?'
"There are only one or two places I would choose a job in over Oklahoma City. I'm not going to go to Cleveland. I'm not going to go to Atlanta, but I like Dallas.”
A Nebraska native, Mitchell became KOCO's chief meteorologist in the summer of 1994. Over the years, he has been a familiar face in OKC's television weather wars.
“I still feel like this will be home. I know that sounds strange and probably it will change over time, but I think that's what I'm telling myself to help me get through the transition,” he said.
Mitchell's departure was first reported today on The Lost Ogle blog. His last day on air at KOCO will be Aug. 20. His first day on the air at KXAS is Aug. 27.
He admitted that getting up so early in the morning will be a bit of a transition.
“Thank goodness I started drinking coffee a couple of years ago,” Mitchell said. “My wife is excited because she will get to have me home in the afternoons and the early evenings.”
The couple has two children.
