Campbell Defensive Coordinator Taylor Ownbey has been named interim head coach

TOP PHOTO: Mark Pemberton with his family on picture day 2024. (PHOTO COURTESY OF ANDY ALOYSIUS)

Campbell Defensive Coordinator Taylor Ownbey explains to the defense at last September’s practice what TKA likes to do on offense.

JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- Mark Pemberton is moving on, leaving as the head coach of the Cougars to coach the Madison Southern Eagles at Berea, Ky. The veteran coach shared the news with his players when they gathered for 2pm workouts today.

Campbell Defensive Coordinator Taylor Ownbey has been named interim head coach. He will assume head coaching duties, leading the team in the weight room in preparation for spring practice, according to Campbell Athletics.

Pemberton was the biggest coaching hire in the history of Campbell Football sporting a state championship on his resume along with more than 250 wins. He was hired in January 2024 as the school’s 16th head coach over 50 seasons. That was after Justin Price accepted the head coaching position at Grace Christian Academy following a 13-year stint at Campbell and the most wins (72) as a Cougar head football coach.

Coach Mark Pemberton instructs the day before the Karns game, a seven point loss.

The search begins now for a new head coach, according to Ryan Browning, Co-Athletic Director. Though it’s a bit late in the game to be looking for a head coach, the Cougars have been here before hiring Price in June 2011.

Campbell finished the 2024 season 2 & 8 and opens 2025 on August 22 at Lenoir City.

From Campbell County Athletics

2025 Campbell Football Schedule

Aug. 22, 2025Friat Lenoir City
Aug. 29, 2025Friat CherokeeRogersville7:30 PM Kick-off
Sep. 5, 2025Friat Knox Karns*
Sep. 12, 2025FriKnox Central*
Sep. 19, 2025FriKnox West*
Sep. 26, 2025Friat Clinton*
Oct. 3, 2025Friat Knox Powell*
Oct. 10, 2025FriSweetwater
Oct. 24, 2025FriKnox Halls*
Oct. 31, 2025FriWilliam Blount*

Region 2 games are listed with an asterik*

All games kick-off at 7pm unless otherwise noted and will be broadcast over the WLAF-Doyle’s Tire Shop Sports Network which consists of AM 1450, FM 100.9, Alexa on your Amazon enabled devices, WLAF-TV 1089, 1450wlaf.com, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch. . (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-03/11/2025-2PM)

One Reply to “Cougar’s Mark Pemberton moving on to Madison Southern”

  1. I have several friends, all who live in Northern Ky. who graduated from Jacksboro High School in the 60’s. We view Campbell County football each Friday night. Many THANKS to Coach Pemberton for all the endless hours you gave to the students of Campbell County. Wishing You ” ALL THE BEST” on your next challenge.

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