Born on March 25, 1980, Mark Campbell is the head coach of the No. 2 seed TCU women’s basketball team. He played at Cal Poly before transferring to Clackamas Community College, where he led the nation with 10.2 assists per game.
Campbell then completed his collegiate career at Hawaii before transitioning into coaching. Let’s take a closer look at his personal life.
Mark Campbell’s Partner in Life and Sports: Ashley Smith
Mark Campbell is married to Ashley Smith, a former Vanderbilt basketball standout. The two met in middle school and began dating while Campbell was at Clackamas Community College. They have two daughters together, Maley and Makay.
Smith, an Oregon City native, excelled as a point guard for Vanderbilt, earning All-American honors. As a freshman in 1997-98, she led the SEC in assists. In the NIKE/WBCA All-American high school game, she recorded 11 assists in 22 minutes, delivering her first in three seconds and another within 40.
Her high school career was legendary. Playing under her father, Brad Smith, at Oregon City High, she led the team to three consecutive USA Today national titles, four Oregon Class 4A state championships, and a 102-2 record. The Pioneers won 68 straight games, and she finished her junior and senior seasons undefeated at 26-0.
Mark Campbell Praises Hailey Van Lith as TCU Makes History
TCU standout Hailey Van Lith etched her name in college basketball history Saturday as the Horned Frogs advanced to the Elite Eight with a 71-62 victory over No. 3 seed Notre Dame. Head coach Mark Campbell made sure to recognize her remarkable achievement in the postgame press conference.
Before Van Lith could speak, Campbell interrupted to highlight her accomplishment.
“Before she talks, five Elite Eights at three different schools—insane! There’s no way that’s ever been done in the history of college basketball. Anyways, keep going.”
Van Lith, reflecting on her journey, credited her unwavering confidence.
RELATED: Hailey Van Lith Makes History — Only Player To Lead 3 Different Schools to Elite Eight
“I think at this point I just have ultimate faith and confidence in myself to compete at an intense level,” she said. “What I’ve learned through my experience in these tournaments is you can’t always ask yourself to make every shot, but if you’re willing to compete and lay it all out there every game, you’re giving yourself a better shot than a lot of other people.”
She also praised her teammates.
“Everyone else on our team stepped up; it wasn’t just me. Everybody played their role, and we were able to get it done. Now, we are going to another Elite Eight.”
While Van Lith is familiar with deep tournament runs, TCU’s women’s program had never reached the Sweet 16 before this season. The Horned Frogs also secured their first Big 12 Championship and are now just three wins away from a potential national title. Van Lith led the way with 26 points, including 12 in the decisive fourth quarter.
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