Union University’s longtime women’s basketball coach, Mark Campbell, announced this will be his final season leading the Bulldogs program.
“After much prayer and conversations with my family, the 2025-26 season will be my last year coaching the women’s basketball team at Union University,” Campbell said in a statement released by the school.
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Campbell will remain as Union University’s athletics director, a position he has occupied since 2023. The upcoming season will be Campbell’s 27th. Associate head coach Sean Blackburn will take over as head coach.
“I love this program, and I care deeply about what the future holds,” Campbell said. “I would not put the program in someone’s hands I don’t trust. I trust Sean.”
Mark Campbell, Union University women’s basketball coach (right) and associate coach Sean Blackburn, share an embrace after the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Championship region final game against Nova Southeastern University at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee on March 17, 2025. The Lady Bulldogs won, 65-60.
Since taking the helm in 1999, Campbell led Union University to national tournaments in 25 of his 26 seasons, reaching the semifinals 15 times and winning five national championships. He captured four in the NAIA (2005, 2006, 2009, 2010) and one in the National Christian College Athletic Association (2014).
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Those impressive accomplishments have earned him multiple Hall of Fame accolades.
Campbell was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame as part of its 2025 class in June. He’s also a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame, and the Jackson Madison County Sports Hall of Fame.
Under his leadership, Union often found itself atop national rankings. He’s won 20 conference regular season titles and 15 conference tournament titles. He’s hit the 30-win plateau 14 times and set a program record with 37 wins in 2008-09.
“I want to personally thank all of you,” said Campbell, who played high school basketball at Franklin Road Academy in Nashville. “Union University is an amazing place, and I have had the honor of serving as the head women’s basketball coach. Along the way, I got to experience things I never thought possible.”
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Although known for his coaching career at Union, Campbell was also a Lipscomb University basketball legend in Nashville and won a USA gold medal in 2019 after leading the USA U16 team to the title and earning the USA Development Coach of the Year Award.
Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee, Mark Campbell, gives his remarks during the 2025 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Tennessee Theatre, June 14, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn. (Shawn Millsaps/Special to News Sentinel)
He ranks No. 12 in all-time scoring at Lipscomb with 1,509 points. He’s top five in assists with 724 and helped guide the Bison to five national tournament appearances and a 129-19 record in his four years.
Ahead of his final season with the Bulldogs, Campbell touts an overall record of 775-120. He was the fastest college coach to reach 500, 600, and 700 career wins at the time of each milestone.
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This year, if he wins 25 games before he gets to eight losses, he’ll surpass UConn legend Geno Auremma as the fastest collegiate coach at any level to reach 800.
“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,” university president Samuel W. Oliver said. “We will enjoy this final season being grateful for all that has been and all that lies ahead.”
The Bulldogs begin their season at home at 2 p.m. against the University of Tennessee Southern on Oct. 25.
This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Mark Campbell announces final season as Union women’s basketball coach
