Self’s classy reaction after Turgeon got a new job
The Kansas basketball the landscape just got bigger with former Jayhawk Mark Turgeon headed to Kansas City as their new head coach. Turgeon will replace Marvin Menzies, who will not return to the Roos after this season, but is sitting out the rest of the season. This is his first job since being fired by Maryland. Bill Self was extremely happy for Turgeon and wants Jayhawk fans to support him wherever they can.
Self was a graduate assistant at Kansas during Turgeon’s playing career, and the two are close. Bill Self was excited for Turgeon and his family and wanted to support him as much as he could. He knows it means a lot to Turgeon and said he hopes Kansas fans will support him in his new job.
“I actually hope our people support him in his new place and certainly wish him the best,” Self emphasized.
Turgeon was most recently the head coach at Maryland. During his decade in College Park, he led the Terrapins to five NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet 16 run in 2016. They also shared the 2020 Big Ten regular season title before the NCAA Tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s an honor to come home and be trusted to build a winning tradition in Kansas City men’s basketball,” Turgeon said in a statement. “It was evident through our initial conversations that I could build a strong partnership with Dr. Martin and Chancellor (Mauli) Agrawal. I have always had a great love for Kansas City, and I believe this city deserves a team that reflects its championship culture. There is so much untapped potential, and with the full force of the Kansas City community behind us, we will be able to reach a new program.”
Turgeon was a head coach at the college level for a while. He committed to Maryland in 2011, but before that he spent four seasons at Texas A&M and seven at Wichita State. He coached to four NCAA Tournament appearances with Texas A&M and led Wichita State to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2006.
Self is coaching a true March contender this seasonbut wants to focus on a team elsewhere in Kansas that could be successful.
2026-02-06 18:04:00
