Kansas City Roos Secure Veteran Leader Mark Turgeon as Head Basketball Coach
The Kansas City Roos men's basketball program has made a transformative move by appointing Mark Turgeon as their new head coach for the 2026-27 season. The university made this significant announcement on Sunday, February 1, following an intensive recruitment effort led by Athletic Director Brandon Martin. Turgeon, a highly experienced coach with a proven track record in elite conferences, has signed a comprehensive five-year contract and will officially assume his role after the conclusion of the current basketball campaign.
Mark Turgeon's Impressive Coaching Career and Regional Roots
Mark Turgeon, who will celebrate his 61st birthday on February 5, brings an extensive coaching resume with a career record of 479-275 accumulated over more than 23 seasons. A native of Topeka, Kansas, Turgeon has deep regional ties, having played collegiately at the University of Kansas where he served as team captain and participated in four consecutive NCAA Tournaments during the 1980s. His return to the Midwest represents a meaningful homecoming, further strengthened by family connections. Notably, he plans to integrate his son, Will Turgeon, into the coaching staff, adding a personal dimension to his leadership approach.
Turgeon launched his head coaching career at Jacksonville State before significantly elevating his reputation at Wichita State, where he guided the team to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2006. He then led Texas A&M to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2007 to 2011, demonstrating consistent program-building capabilities. His tenure at Maryland from 2011 to 2021 was marked by five NCAA bids in nine full seasons, including Big Ten Coach of the Year honors in 2015 and a standout 24-7 squad in 2020 that missed the canceled tournament due to the pandemic. Turgeon resigned from Maryland in December 2021 amid various program challenges, but after more than four years away from coaching, he returns with a resume featuring 10 NCAA Tournament appearances and a history of sustainable program development.
Strategic Vision for the Kansas City Roos Program
The Kansas City Roos, who compete in the Summit League and were rebranded from UMKC, have faced historical challenges, having never qualified for the NCAA Tournament since transitioning to Division I in the late 1980s. The current squad, under interim direction, holds a record of 4-18 following the January announcement that Marvin Menzies would depart at season's end after four years. Athletic Director Brandon Martin identified Turgeon as a key target in recent weeks, recognizing his unique potential to transform the program's trajectory. This hiring is widely regarded as one of the most impactful moves for a mid-major team in the early 2026 coaching cycle, providing immediate expertise, credibility, and a renewed sense of ambition.
Future Outlook and Program Development
Mark Turgeon's arrival positions the Kansas City Roos for substantial long-term growth within a competitive conference landscape. His coaching philosophy emphasizes strong fundamentals, comprehensive player development, and cultivating a winning culture, all of which align perfectly with the Roos' ambition to build a sustainable and successful program. While other coaching opportunities may emerge later in the offseason, Turgeon's decision to return closer to his roots underscores his genuine commitment to this project and his belief in the program's potential. This appointment signals a new era for Kansas City Roos basketball, with expectations of improved performance, heightened visibility, and a stronger competitive stance in the seasons ahead.
