Maryland Athletic Director Kevin Anderson has affirmatively put his stamp on his program and his reputation as well. With the hiring of Men’s Basketball coach Mark Turgeon, it’s a calculated gamble. Turgeon has an impressive resume with back-to-back Big 12 Conference Coach of the Year honors at Texas A&M, while leading the Aggies to four consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament. This job though is a HUGE step up from a “football conference”
Turgeon brings impressive credentials to a predominant basketball university, posting a 97-40 record in four seasons in Texas. The stakes will be raised in College Park, where the ACC is king, and hoops “rules the roost.” This is not the flashy name Terps fans – or I may have clamored for, but lets give him a chance.
The 46 year old Turgeon replaces longtime Terp coach Gary Williams, who announced his retirement after 22 seasons at Maryland. And he will be asked to do plenty. Like recruit the local stars, beat Duke and North Carolina, go to the NCAA tournament and graduate players. All right away. Oh, and fill some seats (see win games).
A daunting task to say the least, for a guy who was clearly NOT Maryland’s first or even 2nd or 3rd choice initially. It’s certainly not Sean Miller or Jamie Dixon – or even Mike Brey. Only time will tell if this is the right decision for a program that clearly needs a lift, and new voice.
