TCU women’s basketball head coach Mark Campbell has been named one of four finalists for the prestigious Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year award, as announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club on March 24, 2025.
This recognition marks a historic first for TCU, as Campbell becomes the inaugural basketball coach from the university to receive consideration for this esteemed honor.
The other distinguished finalists include Cori Close of UCLA, Lindsay Gottlieb of USC, and Dawn Staley of South Carolina.
Campbell’s journey to this accolade is a testament to his transformative leadership and the remarkable turnaround he has orchestrated within the TCU women’s basketball program. Upon his appointment in March 2023, Campbell inherited a team that had concluded the 2022–23 season with a dismal 8–23 overall record and a 1–17 mark in Big 12 play. In just two seasons, he has propelled the Horned Frogs to unprecedented heights, culminating in a historic 33–3 record for the 2024–25 season.
Under Campbell’s guidance, TCU achieved its first NCAA Tournament appearance in 15 years and secured the opportunity to host an NCAA Regional for the first time. The team’s success was highlighted by clinching both the Big 12 regular season and tournament championships, a feat that underscores the program’s rapid ascent under his leadership. Notably, TCU became the first team to sweep the outright Big 12 regular season and tournament titles within two seasons of finishing in last place.
The Horned Frogs’ remarkable improvement is further evidenced by their significant leap in conference victories, jumping from seven wins in the previous season to 19 in the current campaign. This 12-game increase represents the largest year-over-year regular-season conference win improvement in Division I basketball. Additionally, Campbell’s 19 Big 12 wins set a new benchmark for first- or second-year head coaches in the history of the league.
Campbell’s strategic acumen and ability to inspire his team were on full display during TCU’s NCAA Tournament run. The Horned Frogs advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history, following a commanding 85–70 victory over Louisville. This milestone win was witnessed by a record-breaking crowd of 7,494 fans at Schollmaier Arena, the largest attendance for a TCU home women’s sporting event.
The team’s success has been bolstered by standout performances from key players, notably Hailey Van Lith. Van Lith, who transferred to TCU for her final collegiate season, has been instrumental in the team’s achievements. Her exceptional play earned her the Big 12 Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year honors, and she was named a semifinalist for the Naismith Trophy Women’s College Player of the Year.
The synergy between Campbell’s coaching and Van Lith’s on-court leadership has been a driving force behind TCU’s historic season. Their combined efforts have not only elevated the program’s national profile but have also set new standards of excellence within the Big 12 Conference. The Horned Frogs’ eight victories over AP Top 25 teams further attest to their competitiveness and resilience.
As TCU prepares for its Sweet 16 matchup against Notre Dame on March 29 in Birmingham, Alabama, the team carries the momentum of a record-setting season. The Horned Frogs’ 33 victories are tied with Texas for the most in the nation, and their .917 win percentage is second only to UCLA.
The Naismith Coach of the Year award winner will be announced on April 2 in Tampa, Florida, as part of the Final Four weekend festivities. Regardless of the outcome, Campbell’s recognition as a finalist underscores the profound impact he has had on TCU women’s basketball and solidifies his reputation as one of the nation’s premier coaching talents.
In summary, Mark Campbell’s tenure at TCU exemplifies the transformative power of visionary leadership and strategic team-building. His ability to revitalize a struggling program and lead it to unprecedented success has not only garnered national recognition but has also instilled a renewed sense of pride and optimism within theTCU community.
