Rick Mitchell leaving KOCO

[Tydude]

The Lost Ogle is reporting that after 18 years at KOCO 5 that Rick Mitchell is leaving KOCO 5 and is going to be working at NBCDFW in Dallas.Hopefully the reports are false. If anyone knows any more details about this rumor let us know

[venture]

Eh, he probably had to make a move. Should get a nice size bump in pay.

[adaniel]

Not shocking since KOCO cannot hold onto talent if its life depended on it.

I wish Mr. Mitchell the best if this is true. With that in mind, I'm not so sure this is a good career move for him. Take it from personal observation, weathermen in the DFW aren't nearly as important as they are here and he will feel it.

This may be one of the few markets where the stations live and die by their weathermen (and thus they hold far more sway in pay negotiations). DFW stations, OTOH, weathermen are viewed as annoying nerds that tell you if its raining or not. Forget any special toys, radars, or an army of stormchasers. Oh, and GOD HELP YOU if you interrupt tv. Sure there may be a tornado on the ground in Downtown Dallas and people's lives are in danger, but you have interrupted Lost, American Idol, CSI, etc. so prepared to get an avalanche of ugly emails the next day. My buddy from schools works for the ABC affiliate down there and it happens every time there is bad weather.

[Tydude]

Update:here is an story article from the lost ogle about rick leaving KOCO 5 http://www.thelostogle.com/2012/07/1...nel-5/#respond

[Tydude]

its official Aaron Tuttle has confirmed the reports that he is leaving KOCO 5

[venture]

The biggest question still remins who replaces Gary when they run out of embalming fluid.

[Tydude]

NBC DFW says that Rick will be joining the station in late August so maybe Rick is going to help out with the search for his replacement

[ou48A]

Dallas may be less pressure for Rick? He seems like a great guy. . I wish him well.

So who do they hire as a replacement?
Michael Armstrong should get a look.
He already has a local identinity and has done a very good job when covering severe weather.

[OKCTalker]

Pretty thin bench in KOCO's weather department. There's Rusty McCranie and that's about it.

[soonerliberal]

That is a huuuuuge market jump. Number 44 to number 5. And if it is NBC DFW, that's even better... they are an owned and operated station.

[John1744]

I'll miss Rick but it's hard playing 3rd string between two power houses like Mike Morgan and Gary England.

[Tydude]

if i am michael armstrong i will applied for the head weather positions at Channel 5 because he will be perfect for that job.He really wanted to be the main metrologist when Gary leaves and if he leaves

[Tydude]

this is a tweet from Rick Mitchell twitter.com/RickMithellWX
Yes,its true.I'm Moving to Dallas. It was the toughest decision of my life.The Last 18 yrs in OK have been wonderful.Thanks to you!

[Easy180]

Probably need some weather guys down in DFW after the debacle this spring...Probably pump up his tornado credentials left and right

[Bunty]

Probably need some weather guys down in DFW after the debacle this spring...Probably pump up his tornado credentials left and right

You mean from the mega hail storm they had?

[boscorama]

Rick is the ONLY member of the Ch5 team I like; sorry to see him go. Wonder if being in a bigger market isn't such a great move for an OKC weatherman.

Good for Dallas, bad for us.

[MikeOKC]

This is a HUGE step up for Rick Mitchell. What I'm wondering is if they're adding to the NBC 5 team or if David Finfrock, who is a DFW television icon (and chief meteorologist), is leaving. Finfrock has been at NBC 5 since the mid 70's. Big shoes to fill if he's replacing Finfrock. Best of luck to a great guy - go get 'em Rick!

[Tydude]

This is a HUGE step up for Rick Mitchell. What I'm wondering is if they're adding to the NBC 5 team or if David Finfrock, who is a DFW television icon (and chief meteorologist), is leaving. Finfrock has been at NBC 5 since the mid 70's. Big shoes to fill if he's replacing Finfrock. Best of luck to a great guy - go get 'em Rick!

No David Finfrock is staying he is in the morning newscast so basically he is going to a higher market but is not the main weather person

[MikeOKC]

No David Finfrock is staying he is in the morning newscast so basically he is going to a higher market but is not the main weather person

So Rick is going to do morning weather only? If I was a betting man, I'd bet you Rick's going with the understanding he'll be groomed to take the 5, 6 & 10 when Finfrock retires.

[SoonerBoy18]

This is very frustrating because koco is known for this. Aaron Tutle, Tyler Suiters, Maggie Carlo, John Flick, and now Rick Mitchell. This is why News 9 should be everyones favorite news channel, their called "Oklahoma's Own" for a reason.

[aintaokie]

Rick will not only fill the spot left when David Fenfrock leaves, he will continue a KXAS legacy of excellent & long time meteorolgists that began with the late Harold Taft who stayed with Channel 5 DFW for over 40 years. I still remember David Fenfrock when he was just out of college. Best of luck to Rick......

This is a HUGE step up for Rick Mitchell. What I'm wondering is if they're adding to the NBC 5 team or if David Finfrock, who is a DFW television icon (and chief meteorologist), is leaving. Finfrock has been at NBC 5 since the mid 70's. Big shoes to fill if he's replacing Finfrock. Best of luck to a great guy - go get 'em Rick!

[SoonerBoy18]

Feel sorry for Jessica Schambach, seems like shes koco last veteran in a way.

[Tydude]

his last day is August 20th at KOCO 5

[soonerguru]

Genuinely sad to see Rick Mitchell go. Consummate professional. Easily the best weatherman in the market. Appealed to the intelligence of viewers and had a wonderful, calming presence on the air -- even during extreme weather events.

I watch KOCO because it's the only Ogle-Free option on local TV, but he was easily the top of the heap at that station.

[joshnziggy]

I'm beginning to wonder why there is such a big turn over going on at KOCO the last year or two!? People keep leaving, replacements go on the air and then some of them have already left. Then, who can forget the big morning show shake up! It sounds to me like something is going on behind the scenes that we are missing. Bad management? Behind the scenes feuds? I can't help but wonder! It would be a really good move for KOCO if they hired Sarah Libby back as Rick's replacement, if she would even consider the opportunity. She was the only Oklahoma meteoroligist that was accurate and didn't over exaggerate during severe weather coverage! Best of luck to Rick in his new career path!!