PEMBROKE – Athletics department officials at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke announced on Wednesday morning that Mark Hall, an 18-year collegiate coaching veteran with previous stops at two other NCAA Division II institutions, has been named as the football program's third head coach.
 
Hall ventures to Pembroke after serving the last 15 years on the coaching staff at Chowan, including the last two seasons as the head coach of the Hawks. He also has a previous stint as the offensive coordinator for Urbana from 2005-08.
 
"Mark Hall brings a wealth of experience in rural eastern North Carolina, and embodies the blue collar mentality that makes UNC Pembroke such a special place," said UNCP Athletics Director Dick Christy. "He gets the most out of his student-athletes and staff through an authentic and deep passion to see them excel. The unprecedented results that he has driven over the past two years are a by-product of the culture that he builds in his program. I am excited for the future of UNCP Football under his leadership."
 
Hall compiled a 14-7 record at the helm of the program at Chowan, including a 7-4 mark in 2022 that culminated in the program's first Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) North Division title, as well as an appearance in the CIAA championship game. He engineered a 4-game turnaround for the program in his first season as head coach in 2021 as the Hawks posted a 7-3 clip – the most wins for the program since 1983, and the best win-loss finish in the NCAA era for the squad.
 
Across two seasons as skipper, Hall mentored a dozen all-conference selections, as well as a trio of all-region picks, while also seeing the program rake in 25 conference weekly laurels and as a national player of the week nod. The Hawks showcased the country's 25^th-best total offense (432.2 yards/game) during the run to excellence in Hall's first season as head coach, and ranked second among the nation's 164 NCAA Division II squads with 9.2 tackles for loss per game in 2022, as well as the nation's sixth-best sacks per game (3.55) tally. Chowan also averaged 38.5 points per game last season – a number which ranked 12^th, nationally.
 
Hall joined the coaching staff at Chowan in 2008 as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator, and guided an offense that consistently ranked among the nation's top squads. The Hawks were one of just eight NCAA Division II teams to register more than 500 yards of offense and 40 points per game in 2018, and finished that campaign ranked sixth in total offense (511.7 yards/game) and seventh in scoring offense (41.9 points/game). Fueled by one of the nation's top running back, Chowan registered the NCAA Division II's sixth-best rushing offense (275.2 yards/game) and 15^th-best total offense (475.1) the following season.
 
As the offensive coordinator for Chowan, Hall provided tutelage for a pair of CIAA Offensive Player of the Year selections, as well as 18 All-CIAA recipients and an all-American.
 
"UNCP is a special place. The winning culture is something I can't wait to experience and then contribute to," Hall said. "As I went through this process, it became very evident that this University values people. We have the resources, fan base and community support to build a program of championship caliber on a national level."
 
Hall dove into the coaching world as offensive coordinator for Urbana from 2005-07, and helped pace his alma mater to 17 victories across three seasons, including a pair of winning campaigns. The Blue Knights averaged better than 327 yards per game during Hall's tenure, including a 2006 campaign that watched the squad tack up nearly 350 yards a contest. The Blue Knights also tallied four wins over top 25 opponents with Hall on staff as well.
 
A regular in the wide receiver rotation for the Blue Knights from 1999-02, Hall earned his bachelor's degree in sports and leisure activities from Urbana in 2003, and completed his graduate work in classroom management at Urbana in 2007. Hall and his wife, Amy, are the proud parents of two daughters, Avery and Makaylin.