Mark Campbell will step down as head coach of Union University’s women’s basketball team after 26 seasons, with this 2025-2026 season being his final season. Campbell will continue focusing on his role as Union’s athletic director, a position he has held since 2021.
Over 26 seasons, Campbell has been awarded numerous awards, most notably six National Coach of the Year awards, Gulf South Conference Coach of the Decade (2010), USA Development Coach of the Year (2019) and induction into both the NAIA Hall of Fame, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
Not to mention leading his teams to five national NAIA titles and one National Christian College Athletic Association championship. He has also won 21 regular-season conference titles, 16 tournament championships, advanced to 25 national tournaments and made 15 national semifinal appearances.
As well as in 11 years in NCAA Division II, he advanced to the national tournament 10 times and had two national semifinal appearances.
For Campbell, coaching has always meant more than awards or winning streaks — to him, it was the relationships and players that kept him coaching year after year.
“I really had no idea what the process was and how running a basketball program was so much more,” Campbell said in a Union athletics press release. “I had no idea that relationships would be the main thing, and that they would become the only thing that matters.”
With one chapter coming to a close, another begins for the Lady Bulldogs. Associate head coach Sean Blackburn is set to take over the program. Blackburn has been the women’s team associate head coach for the last five years and has worked at Union for eight.
“I feel so certain this is the timing for such a change,” Campbell said in a Union athletic press release. “I would not put the program in someone’s hands I don’t trust. I trust Sean.”
Campbell said he does not take the decision lightly, dedicating this to his family, players, coaches and God.
As Campbell closes out his legendary run, he said he is confident that Blackburn will continue to build relationships and carry on the legacy.
“God has been so good, and I believe He will continue to be gracious towards this place. We will move forward together and with high expectations,” Campbell said.
Photo credit to Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame
