Amanda Knapp
Mark Leo Turgeon is an American college basketball coach. Turgeon played basketball in high school and at the University of Kansas, where he earned a bachelor's degree in personnel administration in 1987. He was an assistant coach at Kansas for five seasons, then at Oregon and the Philadelphia 76ers before taking on his first head coaching position at Jacksonville State University in 1998. Turgeon went on to coach at Wichita State, Texas A&M, and Maryland, leading his teams to numerous NCAA Tournament appearances and championships. In 2021, Turgeon stepped down as head coach at Maryland after 10 seasons, citing the need for a new voice to guide the team. Since retiring, he has run a coaching consulting business and raised funds to combat Alzheimer's disease.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mark Leo Turgeon |
| Date of Birth | 5 February 1965 |
| Alma Mater | University of Kansas |
| Degree | Bachelor's in Personnel Administration |
| Spouse | Ann Fowler |
| Children | 3 |
| High School | Hayden High School |
| Coaching Career | Head Coach at Jacksonville State University (1998-2000), Wichita State (2000-2007), Texas A&M (2007-2011), and Maryland (2011-2021) |
| Coaching Record at Maryland | 226-116 |
| NCAA Tournament Appearances | 5 in the past 7 seasons |
| Achievements | Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year (2010, 2011), Big Ten Regular-Season Championship (2020) |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Mark Turgeon's career as a college basketball player
Mark Leo Turgeon, born on February 5, 1965, in Topeka, Kansas, is an American college basketball coach. Turgeon's career in basketball began at Hayden High School, where he played and helped the team capture two consecutive Class 4A state championships in 1982 and 1983. He earned All-State Tournament team honors in both those years. Standing at only 5 feet 10 inches after high school, Turgeon earned a scholarship to play basketball at the University of Kansas under coach Larry Brown.
At Kansas, Turgeon was a point guard from 1984 to 1987 and served as team captain in his junior and senior seasons. He was the first player in Jayhawks history to play in four straight NCAA Tournaments, leading the team to the 1986 NCAA Final Four. Fans nicknamed him "The Surgeon" because of his ability to "carve up defenses." After his freshman year, Brown advised Turgeon that he would likely not make it to the NBA and should consider coaching after college. Turgeon agreed, and Brown began seeking his advice during games and practices.
After graduating from the University of Kansas with a bachelor's degree in personnel administration in 1987, Turgeon became an assistant coach at his alma mater under Brown and Roy Williams from 1987 to 1992. The Jayhawks made the NCAA Tournament in four of those seasons, winning the national championship in 1988 and finishing as runner-up in 1991. KU also secured Big Eight titles in 1991 and 1992 with Turgeon on the coaching staff.
Turgeon then served as assistant coach under Jerry Green at Oregon from 1992 to 1997 before briefly leaving college basketball to work as an assistant for the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers in the 1997-98 season. In 1998, he took on his first head coaching role at Jacksonville State University, where he stayed until 2000.
Memphis Basketball: Ranked or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Turgeon's time as assistant coach at Kansas and Oregon
Mark Leo Turgeon, born on February 5, 1965, is an American college basketball coach. Turgeon played basketball at the University of Kansas from 1984 to 1987, earning a scholarship under coach Larry Brown. He was a reserve point guard and the first player in Jayhawks history to play in four straight NCAA Tournaments.
Turgeon was an assistant coach at Kansas for five seasons, first under Larry Brown (1987-88) and then under Roy Williams (1988-92). The Jayhawks made the NCAA Tournament in four of those seasons, winning the national championship in 1988 and finishing second in 1991. KU also won back-to-back Big Eight titles in 1991 and 1992 with Turgeon on staff.
After his time at Kansas, Turgeon became the top assistant coach under Jerry Green at the University of Oregon from 1992 to 1997. During his five years at Oregon, the Ducks were invited to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 34 years, earned a spot in the 1997 NIT, and had three consecutive winning seasons for the first time in two decades. Turgeon also served as the team's recruiting coordinator in 1995, signing a highly-ranked class.
In 1997, Turgeon left college coaching to become an assistant coach under Brown with the Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA for a year. He then took his first head coaching position at Jacksonville State University in 1998, returning to his home state of Kansas in 2000 to coach the Wichita State Shockers.
Ivy League Basketball Tournament: Where Champions Are Crowned
You may want to see also
Explore related products
His tenure as head coach at Wichita State
Mark Turgeon was the head coach of Wichita State University's men's basketball team from 2000 to 2007. During his seven-year tenure, Turgeon transformed the Wichita State Shockers into a formidable team in the Missouri Valley Conference.
In his first season with the Shockers, the team lost their first 11 games, ending with a 9–19 record. However, Turgeon's leadership and coaching skills shone through in the following seasons. By the 2005-2006 season, the Shockers had become a force to be reckoned with. They won their first Missouri Valley Conference championship in 23 years and made it to the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Tournament, beating Seton Hall and Tennessee before losing to eventual Final Four participant George Mason. The team also went to three straight NITs from 2003 to 2005, showcasing their consistent improvement under Turgeon's guidance.
The 2006-2007 season started exceptionally well for Turgeon and the Shockers, as they won their first nine games, including road victories against notable opponents such as George Mason, LSU, and Syracuse. The team was ranked as high as #8 on the AP Poll, reflecting their impressive performance. However, they eventually hit a slump and ended the season with a 17-14 record, missing out on the postseason.
Despite the disappointing end to his final season at Wichita State, Turgeon's impact on the program was significant. He helped transform the Levitt Arena into the modern Koch Arena, a top-notch basketball facility. Turgeon's time at Wichita State is remembered fondly, and he is credited with reviving the basketball program and setting the Shockers on an upward trajectory towards national relevance.
Turgeon's success at Wichita State paved the way for future accomplishments, as he went on to have notable coaching stints at Texas A&M and the University of Maryland, where he continued to build on his legacy as a respected college basketball coach.
Michigan Basketball's Historic Win Record Explored
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Turgeon's time at Texas A&M
Mark Turgeon was the head men's basketball coach at Texas A&M from 2007 to 2011. During his time at Texas A&M, Turgeon led the Aggies to four consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament. He was named the Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year in both 2010 and 2011 and is the only coach in Big 12 history with at least 24 victories in each of his four seasons. He posted a 97-40 record in four seasons at Texas A&M, including a 23-7 record in his fourth year.
Turgeon was hired as head coach at Texas A&M on April 10, 2007, after former head coach Billy Gillispie left for the University of Kentucky. In his first season, Turgeon acquired all of Gillispie's recruits, including 5-star-rated DeAndre Jordan. The Aggies started the season ranked 14th in the preseason Coaches Poll and won the 2007 NIT Season Tip-Off to extend their winning streak to 7-0. They finished the season with a 7-1 record.
In his second season, Turgeon signed a solid 2-person class, 4-star PG Dash Harris and 4-star PF David Loubeau, both out of Florida. Harris started out well but later became one of the worst starting point guards in the nation. Loubeau, on the other hand, was a solid player for the Aggies. In 2009, Turgeon signed 4-star Naji Hibbert, who had offers from top schools such as Maryland and Syracuse. However, Hibbert struggled after joining A&M.
Turgeon's other notable signings at Texas A&M include 3-star SG Khris Middleton, who became one of the Big 12's most productive players, and a group of big men in 2010: 3-star Kourtney Roberson, 4-star Tobi Oyedeji, 3-star Keith Davis, and 3-star Daniel Alexander. His final class at Texas A&M included 4-star Jamal Branch and 3-star Jordan Green, who were expected to be strong contributors.
Prior to his last year at Texas A&M, Turgeon negotiated a contract extension and salary increase. However, he expressed unhappiness with the inconsistent fan support from students and public ticket holders. On May 9, 2011, he informed his coaching staff and players that he had accepted the head coach position at the University of Maryland, citing Maryland's strong basketball tradition and similar culture to Texas A&M.
Villanova Basketball Game: What Channel to Watch Tonight
You may want to see also
Explore related products
His legacy at the University of Maryland
Mark Turgeon, an American college basketball coach, served as the head men's basketball coach at the University of Maryland from 2011 until he stepped down in 2021. During his time at the University of Maryland, Turgeon led the Terps to a 226-116 record and five NCAA tournament appearances in the past seven seasons. He also won a share of the Big Ten regular-season championship in 2020.
Turgeon was hired as the head coach of the University of Maryland's basketball team in 2011, replacing longtime Terrapin head coach Gary Williams, who retired in May 2011 after 22 seasons. Turgeon came to the University of Maryland with a proven track record of success, having directed Texas A&M to four consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament and posting a 97-40 record in four seasons.
At the University of Maryland, Turgeon continued to build on the legacy and success of the men's basketball program. In his first season, he led the team to a 17-15 record and recruited a consensus top 20 class. Turgeon was known for his strong leadership and strategic skills, often credited for reviving struggling basketball programs and setting them on an upward trajectory. His impact extended beyond the basketball court, as he helped transform the Levitt Arena into Koch Arena, a top-notch basketball facility.
Turgeon's dedication to the University of Maryland was evident, and he fostered a culture of consistent success within the basketball program. His impact on the team and the university as a whole was recognized and appreciated, as he stepped down from his role in 2021. In his statement, Turgeon expressed his passion and focus on Maryland Basketball, acknowledging the combined effort and commitment of coaches and players that contributed to their achievements.
Will NIT Basketball Tournament Return This Year?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Will Turgeon is the common name for Mark Leo Turgeon, an American college basketball coach.
Turgeon has been the head coach for the men's basketball teams at Jacksonville State University, Wichita State University, Texas A&M University, and the University of Maryland.
Turgeon has a 267-174 record after 14 seasons as a head coach. He has led his teams to five NCAA tournament appearances in the past seven seasons, and he won a share of the Big Ten regular-season championship in 2020.
Turgeon stepped down as the head coach of the University of Maryland's basketball team in 2021. He now runs a coaching consulting business from his home in Maryland and raises money to help combat Alzheimer's disease.
