Tennesse-Martin coach Bret Campbell resigned June 4 after a university audit revealed that he deposited more than $20,000 in checks from summer basketball camps to a personal account instead of a university account. According to the Associated Press, the audit states that Campbell paid for the camps’ expenses and employees with that money, but he violated university rules by first placing the money in his account.
Campbell worked at Tennessee-Martin for 10 years and compiled a 125-167 record. This past season he led the team to its first Ohio Valley Conference championship and appearance in the NIT. In a university press release, Campbell explained his decision to resign.
“I spent time considering what I would like to accomplish both personally and professionally,” Campbell said. “Questions arose regarding decisions I made concerning the operation of the summer basketball camps on campus. I understand the concerns over mistakes that were made. After much thought and prayer and considering where the program is today, I decided to resign as head basketball coach. This will allow me to spend more time with my family before I accept other professional opportunities that are forthcoming,” Campbell said. “These issues are strictly related to the summer camps and have nothing to do with the NCAA or any of our current or former players.”
Moving forward, assistant coach Jason James will become the team’s head coach. He has worked with the Skyhawks for seven seasons. Athletic Director Phil Dane wished Campbell and welcomed James to the top coaching position, and he also assuaged fans’ fears that the school might face other violations.
“I deeply regret Bret’s resignation, but I want to assure our stakeholders that the decisions he made regarding summer camps were completely unrelated to his responsibilities under NCAA rules as they related to recruiting, student welfare, academics or any other area of under his supervision, UT Martin athletics director Phil Dane said.
“Bret has worked tirelessly to get the program where it is today, and I wish him and his family the very best as he moves forward. I have complete confidence that his program has been run in accordance with NCAA rules or I would not appoint Jason (James) as our head coach,” Dane said. “ I am pleased that Jason is willing to accept the appointment as our next coach, and I know he and Coach (Jay) Bowen will move the program forward.”
