New Maryland Head Coach: Mark Turgeon

[ADAMWD_OsRavens]

I just spoke with Stoglin online. He said he's excited and actually was recruited by Turgeon at Texas A&M. Doesn't look like we have to worry about him going anywhere.

That's great to hear. I had read online that he loved GW, and would possibly transfer after he announced his retirement.

[The Rick]

Check out this blog post by ESPN's Dave Telep. It's Insider, so i'll post a few things:

So what does Turgeon do in his first 48 hours? He started working the phones. Turgeon clicked off calls to the guys who are spending the most time with the players this month. Traveling team coaches such as Stevens, Bub Carrington of Baltimore Elite and Curtis Malone of D.C. Assault were on the early hit list. Prominent high school coaches from the area can expect to receive calls in the next few days as well. Make no mistake about it, Turgeon is into recruiting.

"He called me last night," Stevens said. "He said he really feels like he's got to protect his home base and make a splash at home."

"You have to give Turg a lot of credit for his recruiting style," Spinelli said. "He's one of the few guys that will go out and see a kid and not care if he's Top 20 or Top 200. He's got a tremendous feel and savvy for evaluations."

"He's a very good X's and O's guy," Stevens said. "Gary Williams was a great coach so you had to have somebody that's going to maximize their players; that's one thing. The other is he's one of the guys you see out there grinding on the circuit. Those things stood out for me and that's what they need at that university to be successful."

[markpolis]

Man...he looks like this decision took everything out of him.

This press conference took place on the A&M campus in front of A&M and other local media. Did you expect him to be doing somersaults and flips? I'm sure the Maryland press conference tomorrow will have a much different tone.

[The Rick]

Man...he looks like this decision took everything out of him.

This press conference took place on the A&M campus in front of A&M and other local media. Did you expect him to be doing somersaults and flips? I'm sure the Maryland press conference tomorrow will have a much different tone.

Exactly, I posted that same video on page 2 of this thread last night. It took place right after he made the announcement to his team and staff. He was very conscientious about being sensitive to folks on campus, I can appreciate that. I also commend him for how he handled the whole thing. He made sure that his team, staff and other key school personnel found out through him, rather than the media.

[Dr. FLK]

This press conference took place on the A&M campus in front of A&M and other local media. Did you expect him to be doing somersaults and flips? I'm sure the Maryland press conference tomorrow will have a much different tone.

Yeah, somersaults and flips. Of course he'll have a different tone tomorrow. I've seen a lot of press conferences, I just found his tone interesting at that one. I'm not sure what your point is really, I was just making an observation.

[The Rick]

Yeah, somersaults and flips. Of course he'll have a different tone tomorrow. I've seen a lot of press conferences, I just found his tone interesting at that one. I'm not sure what your point is really, I was just making an observation.

It was a different tone, I was a little surprised too, but he had just walked out of the door from their arena after just having told his players and staff of his decision. He was being extra sensitive to the matter, and i'm sure was still emotional.

[Sports Guy]

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/30806/maryland-fans-meet-mark-turgeon

[epic]

Check out this blog post by ESPN's Dave Telep. It's Insider, so i'll post a few things:

While I wasn't happy at first (obviously wanted Miller), I'm getting psyched about Turgeon. A great in-game X's and O's coach with the work ethic to get out there and recruit. If he can reel in some of the local big-time recruits we could be in very good shape in the upcoming years.

[Hooded Viper]

Check out this blog post by ESPN's Dave Telep. It's Insider, so i'll post a few things:

Wow this guy is quickly winning me over. He seems a lot like GW in terms of coaching, and there aren't many in-game coaches as good as Gary was, but he already is willing, obviously, to deal with the AAU coaches. Something Gary wouldn't do. If he can score some of the local talent that has gotten away in past years and continue coaching up that talent then this is going to be a very nice transition.

[Greg Pappas]

I'm quite pleased that Turgeon is the new coach, and I give KA props for making the decision to bring in a guy that was not necessarily popular. I think Turgeon will establish quickly that he was not only a good choice, but a great one. Wishful thinking? Not really. I base my view upon the numerous reports on him, and am pretty fired up, after an initial 'blah' vibe.

[The Rick]

I'm quite pleased that Turgeon is the new coach, and I give KA props for making the decision to bring in a guy that was not necessarily popular. I think Turgeon will establish quickly that he was not only a good choice, but a great one. Wishful thinking? Not really. I base my view upon the numerous reports on him, and am pretty fired up, after an initial 'blah' vibe.

I agree. It just sucks that we won't see the results from this good hire until at least 2013-2014, if not later, but I'm excited other then that.

BTW, Just saw this on ESPN's twitter... New Maryland coach Mark Turgeon will be a guest on ESPN Radio's Scott Van Pelt Show today 3:31p ET.

[clapdiddy]

He seems to me to be a guy in the Coach K/Roy Williams mold. Not a fiery type of leader, but a very cerebral coach who will get the most out of his players. I'm liking this choice more and more.

[Sports Guy]

I agree. It just sucks that we won't see the results from this good hire until at least 2013-2014, if not later, but I'm excited other then that.

BTW, Just saw this on ESPN's twitter... New Maryland coach Mark Turgeon will be a guest on ESPN Radio's Scott Van Pelt Show today 3:31p ET.

SVP is very happy with the hire because all of the top analysts think its a great hire.

[Hooded Viper]

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/30806/maryland-fans-meet-mark-turgeon

Man some of the comments from Aggie fans are just brutal. It will be interesting to see his style of play if he is able to get some of the Baltimore/DC/Northern VA talent that has eluded GW.

[The Rick]

Man some of the comments from Aggie fans are just brutal. It will be interesting to see his style of play if he is able to get some of the Baltimore/DC/Northern VA talent that has eluded GW.

Yeah, they should just stick to football. The guy averaged 24 wins a season and made the tournament every year he was there, despite a lack of engagement by the fan base and being second fiddle to the Longhorns. The fact that they didn't appreciate him just goes to show why he decided to leave.