Mark Byington

Mark Byington (born April 22, 1976) is an American basketball coach and former player who is currently the head men's basketball coach at Vanderbilt University. He previously served as the head basketball coach at Georgia Southern University and James Madison University.

Playing career High school Mark Byington played high school basketball at Salem High School located in Salem, Virginia. He led the Salem Spartans, coached by former Dobyns-Bennett head coach Charlie Morgan, to a 26–1 record in the 1993–94 season and to the Group AA state championship, defeating Louisa County. His #32 jersey has since been retired by Salem High School, along with #11 Richard Morgan, who was an All-American.

College Byington was a three-year starter for the UNC Wilmington basketball team. He was awarded 2nd-team All-Colonial Athletic Association and All-CAA Defensive Team honors his senior year. In his four years at UNCW, he was a two-time CAA All-Academic selection and scored more than 1,000 points during his career.

Coaching career Byington spent nine seasons as an assistant coach at the College of Charleston, including seven as Bobby Cremins’ top assistant. The College of Charleston compiled a record of 194–100 and a 108–51 record in the Southern Conference during the years when Byington was an assistant coach. During those seasons, they also recorded six 20-win seasons, logged three Southern Conference South Division regular-season titles, advanced to the league's tournament championship game three times and made two appearances in the NIT.

After a one-year assistant coaching stop at Virginia Tech, Byington was hired as the head coach at Georgia Southern. In seven seasons with the Eagles, he guided them to a 131–97 overall record, with three-straight 20-win seasons in his final three seasons. On March 20, 2020, Byington was named the 11th head coach in James Madison history, replacing Louis Rowe.

In March 2024, Byington was hired by Vanderbilt University as its head coach.

Head coaching record Byington served as interim head coach after Bobby Cremins took a medical leave of absence.