Turgeon a Terp as the College Coaching Carousel Continues...

So much for easing into his tenure at College Park. Maryland Athletic Director Kevin Anderson makes the second of two program defining changes in his first year on the job. Less than six months after ending Ralph Friedgen's ten year tenure and replacing him with fresh-from-the-Fiesta Bowl Randy Edsall... Anderson replaces the retiring Gary Williams with a coach who has four straight NCAA Tournament appearances under his belt.

Mark Turgeon comes to College Park having built a program at Wichita State (Sweet Sixteen in 2006--they lost to George Mason in the regional semis)... and having continued Billy Gillespie's success at Texas A & M (averaging 24 wins in four seasons). His hoops roots are solid-- having played for Larry Brown at Kansas in the mid-80's and then having served as an assistant under Brown and Roy Williams. Turgeon's won wherever he's been... from Jacksonville State to Wichita State (2006 Sweet 16 run that ended with a loss to George Mason) to Texas A & M.

His tenure in College Station saw four NCAA appearances-- one #5 seed, one 7th seed and two #9's... going 3-4 with three trips to the round of 32 (sorry, NCAA-I can't call it "Third Round" just yet). A&M gained the reputation as a guard oriented team under his tenure... playing man to man with occasional zone defensively. Turgeon's recruited locally in the Lone Star State (8 of 14 players on last years roster) and will likely maintain his contacts in Houston and Dallas. He's not unfamiliar with ACC country-- having landed players from Baltimore, South Carolina and Miami in recent years.

The more things change-- the more they stay the same. In 1989 Maryland hired a 44-year old coach who'd been at three stops previously with an average record of 19-12 over 11 seasons. This year the Terps tap a 46-year old who'd had three previous head coaching jobs-- averaging a 19-12 mark over 13 seasons. This in no way guarantees Turgeon will be a slam-dunk... but all signs point to this being a good move for both the new coach and his new employer.


Foggy Bottom Forecast-- George Washington brings Mike Lonergan home to the district... the onetime Catholic University coach (led the Cardinals to the 2001 Division III National Championship) comes to the Smith Center fresh off six successful seasons at Vermont (including 2010 NCAA and 2011 NIT appearances). Lonergan looks to bring an up-tempo feel to the Colonials and can definitely build on the progress begun by coach Karl Hobbs over the last decade. Different types of coaches have won at GW, from Mike Jarvis to Tom Penders to Hobbs... and there's no reason to think Lonergan won't do the same.


VACANCY-- Navy has an opening... after seven seasons at the helm, Billy Lange leaves Annapolis for Jay Wright's staff at Villanova. The Midshipmen were 93-113 under his guidance-- with a peak of 19-11 two years ago and a second place Patriot League finish in 2008. He'd previously been an assistant with the Wildcats. Navy's last postseason appearance came in 1998 under Don DeVoe... and the troubles of recruiting to a service academy (one with height restrictions to boot) is always a challenge in basketball.

Presto's Picks-- Early Bye...

We've just begun college football's regular season... so I guess it's time for a break-- right? Um... that's exactly what Virginia's doing with a bye week in mid-September. The marathon's just begun and the Cavaliers get a water-break? Perhaps they need two weeks to prepare for VMI.

Alma Mater Update-- Syracuse's run to redemption was detoured in Seattle....but despite the Orange's 41-20 loss to Washington it was an enjoyable weekend in the Pacific Northwest, from a weather, food and Floyd Little photo-op standpoint. Always good to hang out with the legendary Big Bob (freshman year roommate). Maine, you picked the wrong week to come to the Carrier Dome.

Maryland at #21 West Virginia-- this is the week where the Terrapins find out exactly what their ceiling is this fall... as a win opens up a world of possibilities. Key questions- can the defense contain the Mountaineer misdirection? Will Jamarr Robinson be able to turn the corner as a passer after just eight completions over the first two weeks? Start burning the couches. Terrapins tumble 31-14.

Virginia Tech tries to bounce back from the program's most devastating loss since the 1980's when East Carolina comes calling to Blacksburg. The Pirates have beaten the Hokies recently (albeit on a neutral field) but one has to think coach Beamer and staff will have this team ready to avert its first 0-3 start in 23 years. Hokies humbled but hold on, 16-14.


Elsewhere-- Navy rolls past Louisiana Tech...Georgetown keeps its dream season going by beating Yale... Howard slips to Florida A&M.