Athletics, Men’s Basketball Coach Mark Turgeon Part Ways

In a mutual decision, Maryland Athletics announced that Mark Turgeon is stepping down as the head coach for the men's basketball program after more than 10 seasons. Damon Evans, Barry P. Gossett Director of Athletics, named Assistant Coach Danny Manning the interim head coach for the remainder of the season, starting with the Terps' home game on Dec. 5 against Northwestern.

"He has dedicated over a decade of his life to the University of Maryland, and has coached with distinction and honor,” Evans said. “He leaves College Park as the 2020 Big Ten Conference champion and with more than 225 victories. He's a great coach and a great person, and I wish Mark, his wife Ann and his entire family all the best in the next chapter of their lives."

"I have always preached that Maryland Basketball is bigger than any one individual. My departure will enable a new voice to guide the team moving forward,” Turgeon said. "Maryland Basketball has been my passion and focus for the last 10 seasons, and I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished. It is through the combined effort and commitment from our coaches and players, both past and present, that we have sustained consistent success in a sport that is ultra-competitive."

Turgeon compiled a 226-116 (.661) record at Maryland, and possesses a 476-275 (.634) overall record as a head coach. He led the Terrapins to the NCAA Tournament five of the last six seasons (six of seven if counting 2019-20). He also led the Terrapins to the 2020 Big Ten Championship and recorded winning seasons in all 10 years, while all 35 student-athletes who exhausted their eligibility earned undergraduate degrees. Additionally, Maryland's seven NBA draft picks over the last six years were tied for the most in the Big Ten during that span.

Turgeon led three different programs to 14 applicable postseason appearances, which included the Terps advancing to their first Sweet 16 in 13 years in the 2015-16 season.

"We are fortunate that Coach Turgeon has surrounded himself with an outstanding group of coaches," said Evans. "Coach Manning has been a head coach at the highest level and we have the utmost confidence in his abilities to lead this program."

Turgeon hired Manning, one of the most accomplished players in the history of college basketball, as an assistant coach in April. They played three seasons together at Kansas (1984-87), where the duo ushered in one of the most successful eras in program history.

His accomplishments include NCAA champion, consensus National Player of the Year, All-American, No. 1 overall NBA draft pick, NBA All-Star and College Basketball Hall of Famer. After winning a national title as an assistant coach at Kansas, Manning as a head coach took Tulsa and Wake Forest to the NCAA Tournament and won conference regular season and tournament titles.

During his six seasons at Wake Forest, Manning guided 14 players to play professionally, including NBA players John Collins and Jaylen Hoard. Manning most recently spent the last year as an analyst for ESPN.

A national search for a head coach will begin following the end of this season.