A conversation with Mark Campbell, Head WBB Coach at TCU
5 Min. Read
It’s the most wonderful time of the year—March Madness! As the wild coaching carousel begins, (feels like this comes earlier and earlier every year) our college team is locked in on men’s and women’s basketball searches. One of my favorite things as a search consultant is being in the “fox hole” –with our clients.
Troubleshooting, serving as a buffer with agents, gathering intel, solving problems, keeping them informed on who is coming and going in the marketplace—this also includes deep vetting of coaches and helping both the coach and the client find a great match.
Typically, this newsletter feature is about spotlighting women. This month, I am going to make an exception and highlight someone who CHAMPIONS women. His name is Mark Campbell, and he is 31-3 this season as the Women’s Basketball Coach at TCU. The Horned Frogs just won the regular season title as well as the Big 12 Tournament.
Mark is a super “girl dad” to two awesome daughters and loves each of his players like his own. Mark and the “UnderFrogs” as they are affectionately known because of the massive turnaround, are currently ranked #6 in the country! When we had the opportunity to assist TCU with this key hire in 2023, Mark’s energy, passion and care for his student-athlete as people shined through.
Good luck to Mark and his team as they continue to make a run deep into March!
What do you love most about your current job?
That is an easy answer, the people! TCU is a small and private university that has incredible pride and passion about their sports teams. We took over a 1-17 Big 12 team and the support we have received over the past two seasons as we built our program is what makes this place so special.
What advice would you give to a young person looking to become a college basketball coach?
Find and align yourself with a great mentor. Be willing to do whatever is needed to help the program. Learn about as many different aspects of the program as possible and be the head coach in each of those roles.
Who has had the biggest impact/influence on your career?
Randy Bennett who is the current head men's head coach at Saint Mary's College has had the biggest impact of my career. I believe this is his 24th season at Saint Mary's. He took me under his wing early in my career and allowed me to learn from him. He is an incredible teach and culture builder, I got to see what it takes to run a program from A-Z. I am forever grateful for the opportunity he gave me and we still talk often. I still use him as a sounding board and talk through all sorts of different situations that come up with him.
What is the best/most memorable sporting event you’ve attended?
I have got to be a part of many special moments but making it to the Final Four in 2019 with the University of Oregon was a very special moment. The Final Four is the pinnacle of our industry and getting to experience that was incredible and it also makes you hungry to get back to it.
Favorite Quote?
"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and blaze a trail."
What is your guilty pleasure?
Having an afternoon latte at Common Grounds. It is a little coffee shop right by campus that allows me to get out of the office and have some quiet time to do some work and get things done.
Your “Go To” restaurant in Fort Worth?
Mi Cocina, it is the first dinner me and my family had in Fort Worth. It was after my press conference so it is a special place for us.
