Wake Forest Athletics
Turner Leaving Deacon Men's Basketball Coaching Staff
5/9/2000 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
May 9, 2000
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Russell Turner, who worked as an assistant men's basketball coach at Wake Forest since 1994-95, has resigned after six successful seasons head coach Dave Odom announced today.
"For six years, Russell has been an integral part of our basketball program," Odom said. "He has taken on more responsibility each year and has earned everyone's respect. It has been a joy to watch him grow as a coach.
"I am very proud of all that he has accomplished and appreciate his many contributions to our program. I wish him well."
Turner and wife, Elizabeth, will move to the west coast where Elizabeth will complete her residency at the University of California-San Francisco's School of Medicine.
Turner joined Odom's staff prior to the 1994-95 season and immediately assisted in directing that Deacon team to a 26-6 record and an ACC championship. The next season (1995-96), Wake Forest again posted 26 victories and claimed a second straight ACC title. In 1996-97, the Deacons earned a No. 2 national ranking and posted 24 wins.
Last season, Turner helped Wake Forest win 10 of its final 13 games en route to winning the postseason NIT championship. During Turner's tenure, Wake Forest produced a sparkling 131-61 record.
Turner began his college coaching career at his alma mater, Hampden-Sydney, in 1993-94 before joining Odom's staff at Wake Forest. In 1996, Turner was an assistant coach on the United States Jones Cup Team.
As a player at Hampden-Sydney, he earned first team All-America honors and was runner up in the voting for Division III national player of the year as a senior in 1991-92. A native of Roanoke (Va.), Turner is Hampden-Sydney's all-time leading scorer (2,272 career points).
A search to fill the void on the Deacon coaching staff has already begun, Odom said.
