In his 36 years coaching football, Ron Turner says the best times have been the nine he spent as a college head coach. At FIU, he’s getting the chance to do it again. Turner takes the reigns of FIU’s football program as it moves into Conference USA this year.
“I am honored and excited to be standing here,” Turner said Friday at the press conference announcing his hiring. “I really believe this program is ready to take the next step to win at a high level at Conference USA.”
Turner brings to FIU a 36-year history in football, including 24 seasons coaching in college with nine as a head coach at both Illinois (1997-2004) and San Jose State (1992). Widely known for his work with quarterbacks, Turner most recently spent 2012 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tutoring young star signal caller Josh Freeman.
Turner’s collegiate career has had numerous highlights, most notably his Illinois 2001 Big Ten Championship and Sugar Bowl appearance. That same season he was unanimously selected as Big Ten Coach of the Year.
As he greeted the FIU community on Friday, he said he was looking forward to getting to know all the players. “I love the relationships you build with student-athletes and their families. They are ones that last forever,” he said.
Turner will hold his first team meeting this week. With 30 graduating seniors, the team has some hard work ahead. He said he would like to see a team based on speed that is fast, explosive and physical. “I believe you’ve got to have explosive plays to win,” he said.
Aside from mentoring several notable quarterbacks in the NFL, Turner is also known for his development of college quarterbacks. At Illinois, he tutored Kurt Kittner, who became one in a long line of successful Turner coached quarterbacks who played in the NFL. Others on that list are Jeff Garcia, Erik Kramer, Jim Harbaugh, Steve Stenstrom, Sean Salisbury, Rodney Peete, Bucky Richardson, Sandy Schwab, John Congemi and Dave Kreig.
“He is no doubt the best quarterback coach in the country,” said Pete Garcia, director of sports and entertainment during Turner’s introduction. “He is one of the best offensive coordinators in the country. He’s actually called the plays in a Super Bowl. He coaches really, really good players. He develops a lot of great players.”
A lot of friends, he said, have been asking him, Why FIU? “There are a lot of reasons,” Turner said. “It’s one of the top up-and-coming programs in the country. You look at the track FIU is on, it’s on the fast track.”
Jim Harbaugh, Steve Stenstrom, Sean Salisbury, Rodney Peete, Bucky Richardson, Sandy Schwab, John Congemi and Dave Kreig.
Looking forward to fresh ideas and schemes for the FIU Golden Panthers! Coach Turner is bringing vast experience, seasoned by many years in both college and the NFL. This could be a watershed moment for FIU – a graduation of sorts. GO PANTHERS!
ron turner … Great Choice …. excellent coach plus outstanding character!
I hope Ron Turner is able to continue a winning culture at FIU. He definitely has experience coaching QB’s and offenses in general. As a result it can only help my boy QB Jake Medlock his Junior year. His experience at the college and pro level is an asset to FIU and by deciding to come to FIU he is on a fast track in bringing Dade’s public university to national stardom. The only concern I have with offensive minded coaches is their lack of interest with defense. Hopefully the hiring of new defensive coordinator Josh Conklin and defensive line coach Andre Patterson a void can be filled with a pass defense sorely missed the past two years. Mario’s drafting of local talent (e.g. T.Y. Hilton) will be missed but I am sure Ron will recruit more than just local talent to make FIU competitive in their inaugural arrival to Conference-USA. I was not going to renew my season ticket since prices went up after a 3-9 season but after hearing about the hire and a renewed sense of confidence by FIU and heading into a new Conference against new rivals I might just fork over the extra hundred bucks. After all I will be on the home (North) side now.
Ditto to what Max above said. I too have a renewed confidence in FIU football and I hope for success as we move into Conference USA. I love the fact that we have a president that is 100% supportive of our athletic programs.