JACKSON, Tenn. - Union University women's basketball head coach Mark Campbell reached the rare 800-win milestone for his coaching career Friday in the first round of the 2026 NCAA D2 Women's Basketball National Championship. Campbell is now 800-129 for his hall of fame 27-year career. 

Campbell announced prior to the 2025-26 season that this would be his final as a head coach. Campbell will remain at Union ad the director of athletics. 

Campbell said, ""Our girls played very well tonight, and it was nice to get that number out of the way. Over the past few weeks I have spent a lot of time reflecting on all the incredible young women who have come through our program and the gift they have been to me along the way. They gave me their very best, and they trusted me. Being part of a team is something special. Basketball has allowed me to be part of a family beyond my immediate family, and that is something I will always be grateful for. Those 800 wins really represent every player who has worn this jersey and this amazing community here at Union University. I am thankful to the Lord for the privilege of being a coach."

Campbell became the second fastest coach to reach the 800-win milestone. He did so in just 929 total games, just one game shy of Gene Auriemma's (UCONN) 928 total games. At the time of each milestone, Campbell was the fastest in college basketball, all divisions, men or women, to reach 500, 600, and 700. Those three have since been surpassed. The legendary Pat Summitt (Tennessee) reached 800 wins in 951 games, while Adolph Rupp (Kentucky) is the men's lead by reaching 800 wins in 972 games. 

Campbell is one of 22 NCAA women's coaches all-time to reach 800 wins.

This season, Campbell's team finished runner-up in the Gulf South Conference regular season, but won the GSC Tournamen Title for the eighth time. In his 27 years, Campbell has been to 26 national tournaments, won five national titles, and advanced to at least the national semifinals 13 times. He has won 21 conference titles, 16 conference tournament titles, four region titles, and his teams have earned 51 No. 1 national rankings. 

Of his 27 years, only two years occurred without Campbell winning either a conference tournament title, a region tournament title, or a national title. 

Entering the 2025-26 season, Campbell ranked in the top-10 of all-time NCAA coaches in winning percentage and victories. He ranks in the top-five in Division II history in victories, winning percentage, and most seasons with at least 20 wins (25). 

Union, the 2-seed in the region, continues the defense of its 2025 south region title with a second round match up Saturday, March 14, versus 3-seed Eckerd at 5 p.m. Central. Watch at www.uuathletics.com/coverage. 

-UNION-