THE FLATS – David Turner, a 36-year collegiate coaching veteran who has spent 30 years coaching defensive linemen and linebackers at the Power Five level, has joined Georgia Tech football’s coaching staff as assistant head coach (defense) and defensive run game coordinator, head coach Geoff Collins announced on Tuesday.
Turner comes to Georgia Tech after three seasons as defensive line coach at Florida. He has coached defensive linemen in the Southeastern Conference for 19 of the past 20 seasons, with stints at Texas A&M (run defense coordinator/defensive tackles – 2016-17), Mississippi State (defensive line – 2013-15 and 2007-09), Kentucky (defensive line – 2010-12), Alabama (defensive ends – 2006) and Vanderbilt (defensive line/recruiting coordinator – 2002-05).
“I couldn’t be happier to welcome Coach David Turner, his wife, Yvette, and his daughters, Bianca and Alexyia, to the Georgia Tech football family,” Collins said. “I’m excited to work with Coach Turner once again. He has spent almost his entire career coaching successful front sevens at the Power Five level. His experience, knowledge and track record of success will make him a huge asset for our players and coaches alike.”
Collins and Turner previously worked together in 2013 and 2014 at Mississippi State, when Collins was the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator and Turner was MSU’s defensive line coach.
In addition to his run in the SEC for 19 of the past 20 seasons, Turner has coached in the Atlantic Coast Conference at Virginia (defensive tackles/linebackers – 1997-2000) and NC State (defensive tackles/linebackers – 1995-86 and graduate assistant – 1988-89). His extensive resume also includes stints at Texas-San Antonio (defensive line – 2018), Minnesota (defensive ends – 2001), James Madison (assistant coach – 1991-92), Indiana University of Pennsylvania (defensive line – 1990) and his alma mater, Davidson (running backs/tight ends – 1986, linebackers – 1987).
He’s helped lead teams to 17 bowl berths, including appearances in the Cotton (Florida – 2020), Orange (Florida – 2019 and Mississippi State – 2014) and Peach (Virginia – 1998, Kentucky – 1993 and NC State – 1988) Bowls.
Turner has coached renowned defensive fronts throughout the course of his career. Notably, together with Collins at Mississippi State, the Bulldogs ranked No. 2 in the SEC in sacks in 2014 (37) and No. 4 in the SEC in rushing defense in 2013 (144.2 ypg). Over the past three seasons at Florida, the Gators ranked among the top two in the SEC and top 25 nationally in sacks twice (2019 and 2020) and ranked No. 8 nationally (No. 2 in the SEC) in rushing defense in 2019 (102.8 ypg).
Turner has coached 15 National Football League Draft picks during the course of his career, including first-round selections Fletcher Cox (Mississippi State) and Patrick Kerney (Virginia). He was also the defensive run game coordinator at Texas A&M when defensive end Myles Garrett amassed 8.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and 10 quarterback hurries in 2016, en route to being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Turner played running back at Davidson from 1981-84 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1985. He and his wife, the former Yvette Modica, have two daughters: Bianca and Alexyia.
THE DAVID TURNER FILE
Personal
Hometown: Goldston, N.C.
Family: Wife: Yvette; Children: Bianca and Alexyia
Alma Mater: Davidson, 1985
Playing Experience (RB)
1981-84: Davidson
Coaching Experience
1986: Davidson (running backs/tight ends)
1987: Davidson (linebackers)
1988-89: NC State (graduate assistant)
1990: Indiana University of Pennsylvania (defensive line)
1991-92: James Madison (assistant coach)
1993-94: Kentucky (defensive ends)
1995-96: NC State (defensive tackles/linebackers)
1997-2000: Virginia (defensive tackles/linebackers)
2001: Minnesota (defensive ends)
2002-05: Vanderbilt (defensive line/recruiting coordinator)
2006: Alabama (defensive ends)
2007-09: Mississippi State (defensive line)
2010-12: Kentucky (defensive line)
2013-15: Mississippi State (defensive line)
2016-17: Texas A&M (run defense coordinator/defensive tackles)
2018: Texas-San Antonio (defensive line)
2019-21: Florida (defensive line)
2022: Georgia Tech (assistant head coach-defense/defensive run game coordinator)
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