Mark Sampson New Fairmont Senior Football Coach
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on February 19, 2025
On Tuesday, the Marion County Board of Education approved the hiring of Mark Sampson as the new head coach of the Fairmont Senior football program.
Sampson replaces Nick Bartic. Bartic resigned last month after a highly successful run that saw four state championships go to the Marion County school.
Here is what the FSHS Football Boosters Facebook page reported on the new boss of the Polar Bear football team.
"Head Coach Sampson, son of Mark and Lynn Sampson of Glen Dale, WV, is a proud graduate of John Marshall High School, where he made history as the first freshman to earn a varsity letter in football.
"His journey to Fairmont began as a member of the Fairmont State University football team, where he was a three-year starter at wide receiver. He earned his Master’s degree in education before joining the Polar Bear Football Family in 2015 as an assistant coach at West Fairmont Middle School. In 2016, Head Coach J.L. Abbott brought him onto the high school staff as the wide receivers coach. A year later, Head Coach Nick Bartic named him Offensive Coordinator—a role in which he has excelled.
"Under his leadership, the Polar Bears’ offense has been among the state’s best, averaging 41 points per game over eight seasons. His tenure includes four state championships and numerous individual accolades, including a Kennedy Award (Connor Neal), two House Awards (Connor Neal and Gage Michael), and two Stydahar Awards (Zach Frazier and Eric Smith).
"Coach Sampson lives in Fairmont with his wife, Jodie, their two daughters, Ivy and Isla, and their playful dog, Watson."
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