Union’s Campbell to resign as coach after season

Union University women's basketball head coach Mark Campbell has announced that the upcoming 2025-26 season will be his final at the helm. Campbell, set to begin his 27th season this year.

Union associate head coach Sean Blackburn will take over as head coach following this season. Blackburn has been Campbell's associate head coach for five years, following three years as the assistant coach for the men's basketball program. 

"After much prayer and many conversations with my family, I believe now is the time," Campbell said. "This will be my final season as head coach of Union's women's basketball team. Going forward, I will give my full attention and effort to serving as Union's director of athletics."

Union President Dr. Samuel “Dub” Oliver expressed appreciation for the years of service Campbell has given leading the program.

"There is truly no way to express the level of appreciation we have for all that Mark has done and has accomplished as the head women's basketball coach at Union," Oliver said. “Reading his career accomplishments and knowing he did all of that in one place is overwhelming. 

“His commitment to the Lord, his family, and excellence is an example for us all. We will enjoy this final season being grateful for all that has been and all that lies ahead."

Over his career, Campbell has earned 12 conference coach of the year awards, four region coach of the year awards, seven Tennessee Sports Writers Association coach of the year awards, and six national coach of the year awards. Campbell was also named the Gulf South Conference Coach of the Decade in 2020. 

He has led his team to five national titles, four in the NAIA (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010) and one in the National Christian College Athletic Association (2014). Campbell has won 21 regular-season conference titles and 16 conference tournament titles in his 26 seasons. His teams advanced to 25 national tournaments in 26 seasons, including advancing to at least the national semifinals 15 times.

During the 11 years in NCAA Division II, Campbell has advanced to the national tournament 10 times, including a national semifinal appearance in 2018 and 2025. From 2007-2011, he led his team to 48 straight No. 1 NAIA national rankings. 

Campbell added a USA gold medal to his trophy case in 2019, leading the USA U16 team to the title, while earning the USA Development Coach of the Year Award. 

Campbell is a member of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, the NAIA Hall of Fame, and the Jackson Madison County Sports Hall of Fame.

Entering his 27th season, Campbell's overall record is 775-120 (.866 winning percentage). Eight hundred wins is in sight for the coaching legend to end with one more milestone. He needs 25 wins before he gets eight losses to be the fastest collegiate coach ever, at any level, to 800 wins, surpassing UCONN's Geno Auremma. 

Campbell was the fastest college coach in all of college basketball to reach 500, 600, and 700 career wins at the time of the milestone, records that have since been clipped.