The new face of Maryland basketball isn’t much different than the old one.
A little younger but still a hint of gray. A former point guard who steadily rose through the coaching ranks with a resume of winning. Indeed, someone who knows it’s all about winning.
Mark Turgeon simply seems to be a younger, gentler version of the man he’s replacing, the retired Gary Williams. Turgeon even threw a dig at former Terrapins athletic director Debbie Yow that would have made Williams proud.
“I’d like to think I have a lot of the same qualities that Gary has,” Turgeon said, then later showed his sense of humor. “I know Gary’s not going to try to sabotage Maryland basketball.”
Turgeon’s hiring caps a whirlwind of turnover in College Park. After a decade of stability at its cornerstone positions, the Terps have changed their university president, athletic director and football and basketball coaches since last fall.
That doesn’t have to be a bad thing, though. President Wallace Loh seems as if he will be supportive but hands-off with athletics much like predecessor Dan Mote.
Athletic director Kevin Anderson is now clearly in charge, a change from the 14 years under Yow that resulted in cliques inside the department. Whether Anderson chose well in football coach Randy Edsall and Turgeon will define his tenure.
Turgeon’s start will be rough. Given the Terps have little returning, a .500 season will be a success. How he weathers a fan base that was hard on Williams even after he won a national championship will dictate whether Turgeon survives a rough season or two. Amusingly, Turgeon told the crowd of more than 200 Wednesday that he welcomes media attention. Well, we’ll see about that.
“I want people fearing the turtle,” Turgeon said. “If you have tickets, keep ’em. If you don’t, buy ’em.”
Sounds like something Lefty Driesell would have said.
Turgeon seems like a nice guy. Outspoken and plain speaking like Williams without employing quite so colorful language. Turgeon said his style of play is “winning.” He’s known more for guard play, but that’s fine given Maryland doesn’t have any inside players anyway.
Someone who played at Kansas under Larry Brown and was an assistant under Kansas coach Roy Williams knows a thing or two about versatility, though. He’s used to working with lesser talent and still producing NCAA tournament teams — much like Gary Williams.
As for replacing Williams and coaching in the ACC, Turgeon said he’s not worried about either. There’s a piece of competitiveness in him, too. It didn’t hurt that he received his predecessor’s blessing, something Driesell didn’t give when Williams took over. Ironically, Turgeon didn’t get along with Driesell either when the two coached in the Trans America Athletic Conference (now the Atlantic Sun).
The legends of Driesell and Williams may overshadow him. Still, Turgeon seems like a solid pick as the Terps’ next leader. Who knows, maybe even Driesell will like him in time.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
