Ron Turner

Following a college career as a wide receiver at Diablo Valley College and the University of Pacific, Ron Turner became a graduate assistant for the football Pacific team. His first full time job came just one year later at the University of Arizona where he coached wide receivers and then running backs until 1980. He went on to coach various offensive positions at Northwestern, Pittsburgh, USC, Texas A&M, and finally Stanford until 1991. Following the ’92 season, Turner was given a chance to become the head coach for San Jose State University, where he led the team to a 7-4 season and a T-2nd finish in the Big West Conference. Following his successful season as a head coach, Turner was given the opportunity to become the offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears for the ’93 season. He held this role for three years before accepting the head coaching position at the University of Illinois. Turner spent 8 seasons at Illinois, his best season coming in 2001 with a 10-2 record, a Big Ten Title, Big Ten Coach of the Year honors, and a trip to the Sugar Bowl. Turner then went back to the NFL with the Bears, the Colts, and finally the Buccaneers before being named head coach of Florida International University in 2013.