CALN >> One of the most highly sought-after scholastic boys basketball jobs in Pennsylvania has finally been filled. Monday night the Coatesville Area School Board approved the naming of former Church Farm School coach Marc Turner as the new head boys’ basketball coach at Coatesville High School.
Turner has 26 years of coaching experience, has won six District 1 titles and guided the Griffins to nine PIAA appearances. Turner has also been at an assistant at the collegiate level with stints at Manhattan College and Villanova University.
The head coaching vacancy at Coatesville occurred when Fred Thompson stepped down due to health concerns. Last winter, the Red Raiders compiled a 29-3 record, advancing to the PIAA 6A state semifinals.
“I am extremely proud to announce that Marc Turner will be leading the Red Raider program,” Coatesville athletic director Matt McCain said. “He is a true class act and will be a great role model for our young men. Marc brings a wealth of knowledge and resources within the basketball community. He is a highly respected coach who I believe will be able to take a highly-talented program to the next level. He will make an instant impact.”
Turner left Church Farm after last season, compiling 376 career wins while with the Griffins. The new Coatesville leader said that the lure of helping young men are what drew him to take over the Red Raider program.
“For me, after I left Church farm I felt I had given all I could there,” Turner said. “I tried to elevate the program in my time there and frankly i missed giving back to young men. I was looking to take some time off from the game but a few weeks ago Matt called me and we talked and I decided I really wanted to give back to young men and make an impact on their lives. And Coatesville is a unique job and it is a 6A school instead of a 2A school like Church Farm.
“And I think my experience at Church Farm will help me at Coatesville because at Church Farm we were not allowed to workout over the summer. So, coming in this late in the game we are a little behind and we have some catching up to do but I cannot wait to get started.”
