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Head Coach Brian CampbellBrian Campbell
Head Coach
First Season
Tiffin, 1994

    Brian Campbell, the winningest softball coach in Tiffin University history, was named the ninth Head Coach of the Youngstown State University softball program on June 17. 2008.
   
Campbell, who just completed his eighth year as head coach and his 12th year overall working with the Lady Dragons' softball program, posted an impressive 285-129-1 overall record and a .688 winning percentage during his tenure.
    Campbell transitioned Tiffin into an NCAA Division II program from the NAIA, and in its first season as an NCAA Division II, Independent the Dragons finished with a 27-14-1 record. Tiffin was ranked as high as 32nd in the National Fastpitch Coaches' Association (NFCA) national polls in 2008 while moving as high as 13th in the NAIA national rankings in 2007.
    Campbell, who has averaged 36 wins per season, was named American Midwest Conference (AMC) North Coach of the Year in 2007 for the third consecutive season after leading the Dragons to a 37-11 mark, a Region IX Championship and their second straight appearance in the NAIA National Softball Tournament.
    In 2006, Campbell guided Tiffin to an impressive 57-11 overall record and the program's first Region IX title and first NAIA National Tournament appearance.
     Campbell led Tiffin to four-consecutive AMC North Championships from 2004 to 2007 and the AMC Championship in 2002 with a 25-3 conference record and a 31-17 overall mark.
    During the 2005 campaign, the Dragons compiled a 34-22 overall mark and an 11-1 conference record on the way to their third conference title in four years.
    Campbell led Tiffin to a perfect 14-0 conference record and a 39-15 overall mark during the 2004 AMC North Championship season.
    The Dragons earned conference runner-up honors in 2003 with a 33-20 overall mark and a 16-4 league record. They won their first league title in 2002 after posting a 25-3 conference record and a 31-17 overall mark.
    After four seasons as an assistant coach, Campbell took over the Tiffin program in 2001 and posted a 27-19 overall record.
    Campbell has coached 39 All-Conference selections, including 2007 Region and Conference Pitcher of the Year Krista Sowers, 2006 AMC North Player of the Year Kristina Schweikert, 2005 AMC North Player of the Year Denita Robinson, 2005 AMC North Pitcher of the Year and 2004 AMC North Player of the Year Rachel Richardson and 2002 AMC Player of the Year Kate Siroky.
    He also serves as a national rater for softball for the NFCA Division II Top 25 poll and is a member of the NFCA Division II Head Coaches Committee.
    Campbell, who also served as Assistant Athletic Director, is a 1994 graduate of Tiffin University with a degree in criminal justice. He also has a master's degree in criminal justice from Tiffin.
    Campbell played for the Tiffin football team from 1990-94 on the offensive line, helping to lead the Dragons to their first-ever National Tournament appearance.
    He also served as an assistant football coach from 1997-2000 and was an assistant coach at Newark High School.
    He and his wife, Kristi, have a daughter, Courtney.

Brian Campbell Year-By-Year

Year Record Pct. Notes
2008 27-14-1 .659 NCAA Division II Independent
2007 37-11 .771 Region IX, AMC North Champs, NAIA Qualifier
2006 59-11 .838 Region IX, AMC North Champs, NAIA Qualifier
2005 34-22 .607 AMC North Champs
2004 39-15 .722 AMC North Champs
2003 33-20 .622 AMC Central Runners-Up
2002 25-3 .646 AMC Champions
2001 27-19 .587  
Total 285-129-1 .688  
What Former Players are Saying About Brian Campbell

"Coach Campbell started out as my coach but years later has become like family. When playing for him and coaching with him, he has taught me so much about the game and life; no doubt knowledge that I will carry with me anywhere I go. He is the kind of guy that will do anything for his players, current and former. Coach Campbell doesn't just coach his players, he takes the time to get to know them as people, something you don't find everyday." -- Rachel Richardson, All-American

"Coach Campbell has not only been a role model for me on the field, but he also taught me and supported me throughout many life experiences off the field. Coach always had his door open for his players. Whether you were having a bad day athletically, academically or personally, Coach was always there lending an ear. His demeanor on and off the field was to be respected and his knowledge of the game applauded. Coach Campbell continues to remain an integral figure in my life. As I enter some of the most important stages of my life, he is supporting me, advising me and cheering me on 100 percent." -- Alexis Berg, All-Conference

"Coach Campbell was a father figure to me while at Tiffin. He was the one that I turned to when I needed something regardless of if it had anything to do with softball. He taught me so many things that I will remember for the rest of my life. Since graduating from his program, I have gone on to coach at the college level as an assistant and at the high school level as a head coach. I learned many things from him that have helped me be where I am today. He expects the most out of his players and pushes them because he knows their potential. He will find success anywhere he coaches." -- Tracy Lehman, All-American

"Brian Campbell is an excellent coach whose character I respect and whose conduct I admire. Coach Campbell is a realist and he knows exactly what he wants out of both his team and out of each individual. He does not try to reach for the impossible but to be successful through hard work, anything is possible. He stresses the mastery of the basic fundamentals and this, in combination with his incredible sense for the game, allows his team to advance to the next level. he is personable and very easy to talk to about anything. His ability to connect to his players on a more human level is what separates him from other coaches. Coach Campbell is one of the best coaches that I ever had and I am thankful for the opportunity to play under him for the final two years of softball. Throughout my playing career, I attained a great respect and admiration for Coach Campbell, both as a coach and as a friend." -- April Nietrzeba, All-American