Mark Turgeon Leaving Maryland Basketball Was Best for Everyone Involved
I have had a little over a week to process Mark Turgeon’s polarizing departure from Maryland Basketball. One side of the spectrum is angry at Turgeon for leaving in the middle of the season, while the other side blames Maryland fans for bullying him out of the program. After bouncing back and forth between either side, I’ve concluded that this was the best decision for everyone.
To those who call out Maryland fans for pushing Turgeon out of the program, just stop. Maryland Basketball won a national title within the last 20 years. The standards are high. If there’s a coach that is continually producing mediocrity, the fans are going to let them know. Having been in Xfinity Center on multiple occasions this season before Turgeon left, I can attest to the fact that there were some scattered boos during pregame introductions, but it was never anything over the top. Maryland supporters had collectively decided it was time for Mark Turgeon to go, but the treatment of the head coach was never as bad as many disconnected national media made it appear.
Seriously, heaping blame upon Maryland fans in this situation is utterly ridiculous. That much is apparent to anyone who closely followed the program during Turgeon’s tenure. The vast majority of Terps supporters were disappointed, yes, but never belligerently hostile like some would have you believe.
Turgeon Felt He Could Not Do His Job
It’s harsh, but hostile environment or otherwise, I’m not sure Mark Turgeon was really doing his job. Voracity and passion were absent. He seemed to be phoning it in, content with results that did not reflect the ability of the players that came through the program on an annual basis. This is not an attack on the character of Mark Turgeon. However, he did not possess a personality aptly suited for the Maryland job in the long run.
I don’t blame Mark Turgeon for leaving, but I do take issue with the timing of the decision. Abruptly getting out of town eight games into a season is a bad look, especially after just inking a three-year contract extension to the tune of $17.5 million. It puts the players in a really bad spot. They will play through what I’m sure many will consider a “lost season” while some reconsider their future now that the coach they committed to is gone. Eric Ayala and Fatts Russell will finish their collegiate careers under an interim head coach.
This is sad all around. Turgeon felt he could not finish out the year. Players have to pick up the pieces.
Nobody’s Fault
At the end of the day, Turgeon felt this decision was best for him and his family. I can’t fault that, but I also can’t fault Maryland fans for being dissatisfied with just one Sweet 16 appearance in 11 seasons. He failed to meet expectations; it is what it is. This decision was best for everyone involved, and I’m excited to see who the next coach of Maryland Basketball will be after Danny Manning’s interim season.
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