JACKSON, Tenn. – Union University Director of Athletics and Head Women’s Basketball Coach has promoted Sean Blackburn to Associate Head Coach for the women’s basketball team. Blackburn was named the assistant coach for the Union women’s basketball team in the summer of 2021. Before moving over to the women’s team, Blackburn spent three years as an assistant for the men’s basketball team.
“This will be Sean’s seventh year here at Union and his fourth year with me as an assistant,” Campbell said. “I have seen tremendous growth over the last year and he played a big role in the change we have made in style of play. He will have a new title this next year and that title represents his growth and my trust in him. We are very thankful to have Sean here and we know he is on mission with this amazing University! I am excited to see all that God will do in Sean and through him as he continues to grow.”
In his first year as assistant in 2021-22, Blackburn helped lead Union to a GSC regular season and conference tournament title. A season in which Union was undefeated in league play with the most wins for an undefeated team in GSC conference history. Blackburn was instrumental in the development of two All-GSC performers; Jaelencia Williams (GSC Player of the Year/first team All-GSC) and Ashtyn Baker (second team all-conference). Union reached #1 in the national ranking and obtained the 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and made a Sweet Sixteen appearance. Union finished the season as the 8th-ranked team in the country.
Blackburn helped lead Union to another regular season and conference title in his second season in 2022-23. Blackburn was instrumental in the development of two all-conference selections Shanique Lucas (first team) and Samariah Thompson (second team). Union obtained a 3 seed in the NCAA tournament and finished the season ranked 17th in the country.
In his most recent season of 2023-24 as the head assistant, Blackburn had his biggest impact on the program to date. He helped the offense reach new heights in the D2 era. Union led the country in scoring (91.2ppg), bench points per game (44.6), three-point attempts per game (33.4), and three-pointers made per game (11.4). Union’s offense was also third in assists per game (18.8), and third in assists/turnover ratio (1.29) in the country. He was heavily involved in the recruitment and development of Jazalyn Anousinh (top 10 in total assists in the country, conference leader in assists), Macey Lee (first team All-GSC), Olivia Lee (3x freshman of the week), and Lauren West (led conference in three-point field goals made per game). Union reached a national ranking of fourth in the country and obtained a 2-seed in the NCAA tournament, and finished 19th in the final national rankings Blackburn was promoted to associate head coach after the season due to his tremendous contribution to the program on and off the floor.
Blackburn graduated from Cedarville University in 2018 with a degree in broadcasting and digital media, where he also had a three-year playing career for the men’s basketball team. Blackburn graduated from Harvest Preparatory High School in 2014.
In high school, Blackburn played four years of basketball and achieved three letters at Harvest Preparatory. He starting point guard for the Ohio Division IV #1 ranked Warriors, who reached the state semifinals.. Blackburn earned All-Mid-State League First Team recognition, all-county choice, member of league, district, and regional championship squad, school’s all-time assist leader, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, picked up three letters in football and one more in track & field, and graduated with academic honors.
Blackburn was a Dean’s List student as a broadcasting and digital media major at Cedarville University. He is the son of Fred Parker and Racheal O’Neil and has three younger brothers and a younger sister. He and his wife, Kristen Goggin Blackburn (Union volleyball head coach), were married on April 17, 2022.
