Mark Turgeon to Maryland
Looks like I need to add a new name to the Spell Check Allow list. The Terps have announced (or are about to) that Mark Turgeon will be taking the Head Coaching job vacated by Gary Williams. I have written as recently as today about how worried I am about this search. Well we can cast those fears aside, as I find myself quite happy with the pick. Well done Kevin Anderson.
Just like the football search I am sure we will be hearing more about the hiring process and what news was real, and what was embelished. But it looks like the Terps got someone they were after. Turgeon most recently is coming from Texas AM where he has lead the Aggies to four straight seasons with at least 24 wins and 4 straight NCAA appearances.
What stat that gets me most excited is the run Turgeon had at Wichita State where he went 9-19 to 15-15 to 18-12 to 21-11 to 22-10 to 26-9. Now he did fall back to 17-14 in 2006-2007, but still that is quite a rebuilding job. His overall record is 249-158.
As an added bonus, it looks like it may very well be time to dust off the old nickname “The Surgeon”, not since Serge Zwicker have we heard the pharse used, and to be honest, I don’t think he will mind. Tomorrow I am sure we will be hearing a lot more about this hire, but this is where we stand tonight. For the first time in 22 years a man not named Gary Williams is at the head of the Maryland Basketball Program, I think I speak for all readers when I say Good Luck!
Go Terps (and me Go Bed!!).
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May 10th, 2011 at 9:39 am
When everything is put into perspective – the timing of Gary’s announcement, the comfortable situations that Miller, Stevens, Dixon, Wright, and Brey are currently in, the short amount of time in which Anderson made the hire – this looks like a solid move to me. By all accounts, Turgeon wins, and he wins clean. Even if you believe that this is a top 15 coaching position, the circumstances were not in Anderson’s favor for pulling in a “sexy” hire (if Brey can be considered as such). So in light of all of this, I give full marks to Anderson on this one. Next season could be tough to watch, especially as we try to adapt to Turgeon’s style, but I’m looking forward to watching it develop. Go Terps!
May 10th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
If Mike Brey is sexy I am Brad Pitt! In all seriousness, this is probably a good hire if he keeps Eshan and Bino. The recruiting has picked up lately, and all indications are it is because of those two.