Campbell takes over reigns of Cougar basketball
The search for a new coach for the Barton County Community College men's basketball coach is over and it resulted in landing a name not only familiar in NJCAA basketball circles but one that is currently in the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
Dave 'Soupy' Campbell was introduced today as the 10th coach at Barton County. Campbell takes over for Ryan Wolf, who departed to become an assistant coach at Murray State (Ky.) after four seasons at Barton and a 111-25 record. Campbell was inducted into the NJCAA Basketball Hall of Fame this past spring at the NJCAA National Tournament. His overall career coaching mark is 586-236 in 25 seasons – a winning percentage of .713.
"This is a tremendous opportunity," Coach Campbell said. "You have a chance to win the national title here with the support of the community and the administration. Those factors are very important."
Campbell was chosen from a final list of four candidates that were interview with two of them withdrawing their names prior to the selection. Wabash Valley College head coach Mark Nelson pulled his name from consideration, as did Barton County assistant coach Jon Stuckey. Stuckey decided to pursue other interests. In all, 70 applications were received for the job.
"The list of candidates was very impressive," Barton County President Dr. Veldon Law said. "We had an exceptional pool of applicants to chose from and I feel we have a wonderful coach."
Campbell's resume is long and impressive. He spent this past season as Director of Basketball Operations at the University of Nebraska after spending two seasons at the school as an assistant coach.
But it was the 13 years prior to his time with the Cornhuskers when Campbell really made a name for himself as the head coach of Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff. Campbell arrived at Western Nebraska for the 1987-88 season and by his 3rd year had the Cougars in the NJCAA National Tournament. Winning the Region IX title almost became an annual event. Campbell followed up his 1990 Region IX title with another in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, and 1999 prior to his departure in 2000 to the University of Nebraska.
His overall mark with Western Nebraska was 354-105. His best team was the 1995 club that finished 36-4 and took 3rd at the NJCAA Tournament. Bobby Jackson, who later played for the University of Minnesota's 1997 Final Four team, led that team. Jackson is now a member of the Sacramento Kings and was named the 6th Man of the Year this past season. During his stay at Western Nebraska Campbell's team won at least 21 games every year including four seasons of 30-plus wins.
The National Association of Basketball Coaches named Campbell the NJCAA Coach of the Year in 1995. Campbell was named the region or district coach of the year eight times during his stay at Western Nebraska.
"Last year I was the Director of Basketball Operations (at the University of Nebraska) and I didn't like it at all," Coach Campbell said. "Now I have the opportunity to coach again. People don't know how happy I am inside. I am looking forward to having the opportunity to get back to Hutchinson (the NJCAA National Tournament)."
Before his tenure at Western Nebraska he was the coach at New Mexico Military Institute from 1984-87. It was his second stint with the school he coached from 1976-80. He was 130-85 during his seven seasons while the school was just 25-97 his four years away. Campbell left NMMI in 1980 to coach at Southern Idaho, where he guided the Golden Eagles to an 80-19 mark in three seasons. He was tabbed Region 18 Coach of the Year twice at Southern Idaho and his teams played in two NJCAA National Tournaments. Campbell then spent one season at Clemson as an assistant under Bill Foster after his stay at Southern Idaho.
Campbell's first head coaching job was at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown (Pa.), where he coached from 1973-75 before going to NMMI. He was named the NAIA District 18 Coach of the Year in 1975 as well as the Pittsburgh Press College Coach of the Year.
He also spent time as an assistant at Tulane University for one season (19721-72) and at Duke University for three seasons (1968-71).
Campbell graduated from Catawba College (N.C.) in 1966 with a degree in physical education. He later earned his master's degree from Appalachian State University in 1977 (N.C.). He and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 35 years and three sons, Cory, Jason, and Bryan. The couple is also guardians of Scott Kloempken (24), Travis Alford (24), and Teela Hyde (11).
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