Maryland Parts Ways with MBB Head Coach Mark Turgeon

Maryland Parts Ways with MBB Head Coach Mark Turgeon

Maryland Athletics and men’s basketball head coach Mark Turgeon have agreed to mutually part ways, per an announcement on Friday.

Assistant coach Danny Manning has been named the interim head coach for the rest of the season, with his first game coming at home against Northwestern on Sunday, Dec. 5.

In a statement, Maryland athletic director Damon Evans thanked Turgeon for his decade-long time with the Terrapin program, but said that a change of leadership was necessary following the team’s 5-3 start to the 2021-22 season.

“After a series of conversations with Coach Turgeon, we agreed that a coaching change was the best move for Coach Turgeon and for the Maryland Men’s Basketball program. He has dedicated over a decade of his life to the University of Maryland, and has coached with distinction and honor. He leaves College Park as the 2020 Big Ten Conference champion and with more than 225 victories. He’s a great coach and a great person, and I wish Mark, his wife Ann and his entire family all the best in the next chapter of their lives.”

VIA Maryland Athletics

Turgeon echoed a similar statement, saying he was extremely appreciative of the time he spent in College Park and happy of the success he’s had with the program, but felt that now was an appropriate time to step down as head coach.

“After several in depth conversations with Damon, I have decided that the best thing for Maryland Basketball, myself and my family is to step down, effective immediately, as the head coach of Maryland Basketball. I have always preached that Maryland Basketball is bigger than any one individual. My departure will enable a new voice to guide the team moving forward.”

VIA Maryland Athletics

“Maryland Basketball has been my passion and focus for the last 10 seasons, and I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished. It is through the combined effort and commitment from our coaches and players, both past and present, that we have sustained consistent success in a sport that is ultra-competitive. I am extremely grateful to have worked with each and every one of you. It has truly been an honor to be the men’s basketball coach at the University of Maryland.”

VIA Maryland Athletics

Turgeon was at the helm of Terrapin men’s basketball for 10-plus years, posting a 226-116 record. He led the Terps to five NCAA Tournament appearances in the last six seasons, while also recording a winning season in all 10 years.

Manning was previously the head coach of Wake Forest where he spent six seasons, posting a 78-111 record. Before taking over in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Manning served as head coach for Tulsa where he had a 38-29 record. As a player at Kansas, he was the 1988 National Player of the Year, a two-time consensus first team All-American and won a national championship with the Jayhawks in 1988.

With Big Ten conference play looming and a potential NCAA Tournament appearance in jeopardy, Manning is tasked with righting the ship of Maryland basketball – and it needs to be done quickly.

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