Mark Pemberton named next Campbell County football coach

Campbell County football found its next coach in Mark Pemberton.

He replaces Justin Price who accepted the positions of football coach and assistant athletic director at Grace Christian Academy. Price's twin brother and assistant coach Matt Price also left the Cougars to become Grace Christian Academy's assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and associate athletic director.

Pemberton last coached at Rhea County from 2013-23, leading the team to an 87-45 overall record. This past season, it went 5-6.

He has experience in the Knoxville area as he coached at Knoxville Catholic from 2002-08, compiling a 78-11 record. In his last year, the Irish went undefeated and won a state championship.

Campbell County is coming off a year where it went 4-7 season and a first-round loss to Walker Valley in the Class 5A playoffs.

Pemberton's first head coaching job was in 1986 when he led Rockwood for nine years. He followed that up with a season at Cumberland County, Catholic, two years at Macon County, a season at Brentwood High School and then Rhea County.

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He has a 218-92 regular season record and a 32-21 playoff record in 31 years as a coach. Along with his one state championship, he led Catholic to a runner-up finish in 2003.

Campbell County has not advanced past the first round of the postseason since 2014. The program has won two playoff games in its history, coming in consecutive seasons in 2013 and 2014..

Toyloy Brown III is a Knox News sports reporter. Email toyloy.brown@knoxnews.com. On X, formerly Twitter, @TJ3rd_.