Why we love Maryland sports

Nov 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; General view of a Maryland Terrapins helmet on the field prior to a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; General view of a Maryland Terrapins helmet on the field prior to a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 27, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mark Turgeon looks on in the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2016; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins head coach Mark Turgeon looks on in the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Xfinity Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Turgeon

Stop if you’ve heard this before: the athletic department hired a very talented head coach.

Much like Durkin, Maryland definitely got it right when they replaced coaching legend Gary Williams in 2011. Mark Turgeon had a track record of success at Wichita State and Texas A&M before making College Park his home. Things were very bleak in the beginning due to limited scholarship players and transfers shortly after Williams left.

However, the program should definitely be given a gold star for sticking with Turgeon through the struggles. The Terps have been to the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons and Turgeon continues to have tremendous success on the recruiting trail. The 2016 class looks like it could be one of the best in Maryland’s history based on the success that Anthony Cowan, Kevin Huerter, and Justin Jackson are having.

Turgeon has produced three NCAA Tournament wins in the past two seasons and could be primed for a few more this time around. It’s hard not to be impressed with what this terrific coach has done.