The University of Missouri-Kansas City has appointed Mark Turgeon as its new men's basketball coach on a five-year contract. Turgeon, who previously led Maryland and Texas A&M, brings a wealth of experience including over 470 career wins. The move comes as the Roos seek to elevate their program in the Summit League.
The University of Missouri-Kansas City, commonly known as Kansas City, announced the hiring of Mark Turgeon on Sunday afternoon, filling the vacancy left by departing coach Marvin Menzies. The school had decided in January to part ways with Menzies after his four-year tenure, leaving the team to finish the current season under his guidance. Currently standing at 4-18, the Roos rank near the bottom of Division I standings.
Turgeon, who will turn 61 on February 5, boasts a career record of 479-275 across 23 and a half seasons. His coaching journey began at Jacksonville State, followed by a seven-year period at Wichita State that included a Sweet 16 appearance in 2006. From 2007 to 2011, he guided Texas A&M to four consecutive NCAA Tournaments. In 2011, Turgeon took the helm at Maryland, where he built NCAA Tournament-caliber teams in six of his nine full seasons, advancing to the Big Dance five times—though the 24-7 2020 squad missed out due to the tournament's cancellation. His tenure in College Park ended with a resignation on December 3, 2021, amid a challenging start and strained relations with fans.
Now, over four years later, Turgeon returns to coaching at the Summit League level, a surprising choice given potential opportunities at larger programs. His decision is influenced by personal ties: he grew up in Topeka, Kansas, and played for the University of Kansas in the 1980s. A source indicated that Turgeon plans to bring his son, Will, onto the staff. Kansas City athletic director Brandon Martin aggressively pursued Turgeon over the past two weeks, marking a notable effort to attract a former power-conference coach.
Since joining Division I in the late 1980s as UMKC, Kansas City has yet to reach the NCAA Tournament. This hire positions the Roos with one of the most accomplished coaches at the mid-major level, potentially signaling a new era for the program.
