Mark Turgeon is an American college basketball coach known for a long NCAA Division I coaching career across programs including Jacksonville State, Wichita State, Texas A&M, Maryland, and Kansas City. A former Kansas Jayhawks point guard, Turgeon built his coaching profile through program development, postseason appearances, and major-conference experience.

Born in Topeka, Kansas, Turgeon’s career has remained closely connected to the state’s basketball history. He played at the University of Kansas, began his coaching career as a Kansas assistant, later led Wichita State, and was named head coach of Kansas City men’s basketball in 2026.

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Profile Summary

Early Life and Background

Mark Leo Turgeon was born on February 5, 1965, in Topeka, Kansas. His early basketball development took place in Kansas, where he attended Hayden High School in Topeka.

At Hayden, Turgeon was part of teams that won consecutive Class 4A state championships in 1982 and 1983. His high school career helped establish him as a notable Kansas basketball prospect before he moved on to the University of Kansas.

Turgeon continued his education and playing career at Kansas, where he became part of one of the country’s most recognized college basketball programs. He earned his bachelor’s degree in personnel administration from the university in 1987.

Career and Professional Journey

Playing Career at Kansas

Turgeon played point guard for the Kansas Jayhawks from 1983 to 1987. During his time at Kansas, he played under Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown and became the first player in Kansas history to appear in four consecutive NCAA tournaments.

He served as a team captain during his junior and senior seasons. As a player, he was part of the Kansas team that reached the 1986 Final Four and won Big Eight regular-season and tournament titles.

Early Coaching Career

After completing his playing career, Turgeon moved directly into coaching. He joined the Kansas staff as an assistant coach from 1987 to 1992. During that period, Kansas won the 1988 NCAA championship.

Turgeon later worked as an assistant coach at Oregon from 1992 to 1997. He also gained NBA coaching experience with the Philadelphia 76ers during the 1997–1998 season.

Jacksonville State

Turgeon’s first head coaching position came at Jacksonville State in 1998. His tenure there marked the beginning of his Division I head coaching career.

The role gave him early experience leading a program and helped set the foundation for later coaching opportunities at larger college basketball programs.

Wichita State

Turgeon returned to Kansas when he became head coach at Wichita State in 2000. His work with the Shockers became one of the defining early chapters of his coaching career.

At Wichita State, Turgeon helped guide the program back to postseason relevance. The Shockers made multiple NIT appearances and reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in 2006. He was also named Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 2006.

Texas A&M

Turgeon became the head coach at Texas A&M in 2007. During his four seasons with the Aggies, the program reached the NCAA Tournament each year.

His Texas A&M tenure strengthened his reputation as a coach capable of maintaining consistent postseason-level performance in a major conference setting.

Maryland Terrapins

In 2011, Turgeon became head coach of the Maryland Terrapins men’s basketball program. He led Maryland during an important era that included the program’s move from the Atlantic Coast Conference to the Big Ten.

Under Turgeon, Maryland reached the NCAA Tournament multiple times. The Terrapins advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2016 and won the Big Ten regular-season title in 2020. Turgeon was named Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2015.

Maryland and Turgeon mutually agreed to part ways in December 2021 after more than 10 seasons.

Kansas City/UMKC

In 2026, Turgeon was named the ninth head coach in Kansas City men’s basketball history. The appointment marked a return to coaching and a return to a region closely tied to his personal and professional background.

Kansas City announced that Turgeon would enter his first season with the Roos in 2026–27. The role added another Kansas-area chapter to a career that had already included playing at Kansas and coaching at Wichita State.

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Major Achievements and Recognition

Mark Turgeon’s coaching career includes more than two decades of head coaching experience at the Division I level. Before taking over at Kansas City, he had a reported head coaching record of 476–275 across Jacksonville State, Wichita State, Texas A&M, and Maryland.

He has led teams to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances and two Sweet 16 appearances. His Wichita State team reached the Sweet 16 in 2006, while Maryland advanced to the same round in 2016.

Turgeon was named Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 2006 and Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2015. He also guided Maryland to the Big Ten regular-season championship in 2020.

In 2024, Turgeon was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. The recognition reflected his Kansas roots, playing career at Kansas, and long coaching record at the college level.

FAQ Section

Who is Mark Turgeon?

Mark Turgeon is an American college basketball coach and former Kansas Jayhawks point guard. He has served as head coach at Jacksonville State, Wichita State, Texas A&M, Maryland, and Kansas City.

How old is Mark Turgeon?

Mark Turgeon was born on February 5, 1965, in Topeka, Kansas. As of 2026, he is 61 years old.

What team does Mark Turgeon coach?

Mark Turgeon was named head coach of the Kansas City Roos men’s basketball program in 2026. Kansas City announced that he would enter his first season with the program in 2026–27.

Did Mark Turgeon coach Maryland?

Yes. Mark Turgeon served as head coach of the Maryland Terrapins men’s basketball program from 2011 to 2021. His Maryland tenure included NCAA Tournament appearances, a Sweet 16 run in 2016, and a Big Ten regular-season title in 2020.

Who is Mark Turgeon’s wife?

Mark Turgeon is married to Ann Fowler Turgeon. Publicly available biographical information also lists their three children as Will, Leo, and Ella.

Conclusion

Mark Turgeon’s biography is closely tied to Kansas basketball and NCAA Division I coaching. Born in Topeka, he played at the University of Kansas, began coaching as a Kansas assistant, and later built a head coaching career across Jacksonville State, Wichita State, Texas A&M, Maryland, and Kansas City.

His career highlights include 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, two Sweet 16 runs, conference coach of the year honors in the Missouri Valley and Big Ten, and induction into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame. His 2026 appointment at Kansas City added a new chapter to a career defined by experience, regional roots, and long-term involvement in college basketball.