Danny Manning will serve as the interim head coach for the Maryland men’s basketball team for the remainder of the season. Mark Turgeon stepped down as head coach of the Terrapins Friday. The school announced his departure was a mutual decision.
Manning won’t speak to reporters until after Maryland’s Big Ten opener against Northwestern. However, Manning issued his first statement as Maryland’s interim, asking fans to rally behind the team.
The 55-year old Danny Manning has head coaching experience. He coached at Tulsa for two seasons, leading the Golden Hurricane to Conference USA’s regular season and tournament championships in 2014.
He then coached Wake Forest for six seasons. The Demon Deacons reached one NCAA tournament under Manning.
Manning was one of the best college basketball players ever. He led Kansas to an improbable national championship in 1988. That year he was the national college basketball player of the year.
He was then the first overall pick in the NBA Draft in 1988. Manning spent 15 seasons in the NBA.
Turgeon resigned as Maryland’s head coach after 10-plus seasons. He compiled a 226-116 record with the Terrapins. But, discontent from the Maryland fan base ultimately took a toil on Turgeon leading to his resignation.
