East Texas A&M University Athletics

Mark Copeland was a four year letterwinner for the Lion football team from 1982-85 and was a two-time All-Lone Star Conference selection at linebacker. Copeland earned Second Team honors in 1984 while being named a First Team honoree in 1985, helping lead East Texas State to a share of the Lone Star Conference title in 1983.

The 1985 J.V. Sikes Award winner, Copeland remained a key figure with the Lion football team, coaching the defensive unit from 1989-98 while spending nine years as the defensive coordinator. Under Copeland, East Texas State ranked among the top-20 in total defense seven times, including being ranked second nationally in 1992, while coaching multiple All-Americans.

Copeland also spent six seasons as the Lions’ head golf coach as A&M-Commerce captured the 1998 Lone Star Conference championship while ranking first in the nation in scoring average in 1997. The men’s golf team was a fixture at the NCAA Division II national tournament under Copeland, qualifying either a team or individual in five of his six seasons.