JACKSON, Tenn. – For just the fourth time in the storied history of the Union University women’s basketball program, a new head coach has been named.

Director of Athletics, Mark Campbell, has named five-year Union assistant, Sean Blackburn, as his successor. Campbell announced his retirement as head coach at the beginning of last season, his 27th season of his hall of fame career. Blackburn joins Peggy Birmingham, David Blackstock, and Campbell as the head coaches in program history (Lisa Hutches was a co-head coach with Blackstock for one season).

Campbell said, “Over the last eight years, I have gotten to see Sean grow and mature into a man after God. I have always known his love for basketball and people. He is an excellent teacher of the game, and is personable and truly cares about our athletes. He makes every young lady on our team feel valued. As a coach, these attributes are vital in creating environments. I am looking forward to watching Sean continue to grow into the man God has called him to be.”

Blackburn was the assistant coach for the Union women’s basketball team from 2021-2026, including associate head coach from 2024-26. Before moving over to the women’s team in 2021, Blackburn spent three years as an assistant for the Union men’s basketball team.

“When I arrived at Union, I had no idea what God had planned,” Blackburn said. “The Lord has been gracious, steadily preparing me for this opportunity to serve Him. Two people at Union have been foundational in my growth as a coach and as a person. This opportunity would not exist without Coach Niven, who hired me as his graduate assistant. He was the first in college athletics to trust me, and his confidence in me helped me believe I could be a college coach.

“Coach Campbell helped me discover my “why,” and he modeled, day in and day out, what it means to seek and serve Christ through coaching. Records, stats, and achievements will fade. But relationships-and a Christlike love for the young women God has sovereignly placed in our locker room-can shape lives for years to come. By God’s grace, perhaps for eternity. I’m grateful to be named the next head coach at Union. We will pursue excellence and serve Christ faithfully in our process.”

In the two seasons as associate head coach, Blackburn continued to aid in the offensive and program success. Union’s offense has continued to be a top scoring offense in the country while leading in multiple categories the past two seasons.

Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach Era (2021-2026):
2025-26: Blackburn helped lead the team to a GSC Tournament Title, GSC Regular Season runner-up, and 2-seed in the NCAA D2 South Region Tournament. The team was fifth scoring margin (17.8) top-5 scoring offense (82 ppg), top-10 assists (17 apg), first in bench points (35.6 ppg), first in 3PA/M (33.5/11.1). Union finished with a record of 25-10. Olivia Lee selected all-conference, conference tournament MVP, WBCA All American, and all-region. Courtney Zensen selected all-conference. Morgan Escobedo second in country A/TO ratio (2.9), Zensen top-5 in country 3PTA (235A), 3PT makes per game (2.9), and top-10 in 3PT% (40.8%).

2024-25: Blackburn assisted with one of the best seasons in program history at the D2 level, winning the GSC Regular Season and Tournament titles, top-seed and champion of the NCAA D2 South Region Tournament, and advanced to the national semifinals. The team was top-10 assists per game (17.3), second in bench points (41.4), third ppg (82.9), and first 3PA/M (34.2/11.6). Union finished with a record of 33-4. Olivia Lee, Emily Jones, and Bethany Dillard received all-conference selections. Jazalyn Anousinh led country in A/TO ratio (3.2) and Bethany Dillard was top-3 in the country 3PT% (44.8%).

2023-24: In 2023-24 as the head assistant, Blackburn had his biggest impact on the program to date. He helped the offense reach new heights in the D2 era. Union led the country in scoring (91.2ppg), bench points per game (44.6), three-point attempts per game (33.4), and three-pointers made per game (11.4). Union’s offense was also third in assists per game (18.8), and third in assists/turnover ratio (1.29) in the country. He was heavily involved in the recruitment and development of Jazalyn Anousinh (top 10 in total assists in the country, conference leader in assists), Macey Lee (first team All-GSC), Olivia Lee (3x freshman of the week), and Lauren West (led conference in three-point field goals made per game). Union reached a national ranking of fourth in the country and obtained a 2-seed in the NCAA tournament, and finished 19th in the final national rankings Blackburn was promoted to associate head coach after the season due to his tremendous contribution to the program on and off the floor.

In his first year as assistant in 2021-22, Blackburn helped lead Union to a GSC regular season and conference tournament title. A season in which Union was undefeated in league play with the most wins for an undefeated team in GSC conference history. Blackburn was instrumental in the development of two All-GSC performers; Jaelencia Williams (GSC Player of the Year/first team All-GSC) and Ashtyn Baker (second team all-conference). Union reached #1 in the national ranking and obtained the 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and made a Sweet Sixteen appearance. Union finished the season as the 8th-ranked team in the country.

2022-23: Blackburn helped lead Union to another regular season and conference title in his second season in 2022-23. Blackburn was instrumental in the development of two all-conference selections Shanique Lucas (first team) and Samariah Thompson (second team). Union obtained a 3 seed in the NCAA tournament and finished the season ranked 17th in the country.

2021-22: In Blackburn’s first year as women’s basketball assistant, the team was 28-3 overall and a perfect 18-0 in the GSC. Union won the GSC Regular Season and Tournament Titles and earned the 1-seed and host of the NCAA D2 South Region Tournament. Union lost in the region finals (Sweet Sixteen nationally).

Blackburn graduated from Cedarville University in 2018 with a degree in broadcasting and digital media, making the Dean’s List. He also had a three-year playing career for the men’s basketball team. Blackburn graduated from Harvest Preparatory High School in 2014.

In high school, Blackburn played four years of basketball and achieved three letters at Harvest Preparatory. He starting point guard for the Ohio Division IV #1 ranked Warriors, who reached the state semifinals.. Blackburn earned All-Mid-State League First Team recognition, all-county choice, member of league, district, and regional championship squad, school’s all-time assist leader, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, picked up three letters in football and one more in track & field, and graduated with academic honors.

He is the son of Fred Parker and Racheal O’Neil and has three younger brothers and a younger sister.

He and his wife, Kristen Goggin Blackburn (Union ’20, former volleyball player and coach), were married on April 17, 2022. Their daughter Scottie was born in 2025.

(PHOTO: Sean Blackburn)