New Terps Coach Calls Maryland “A Special Place”

How did new Maryland men's basketball coach Mark Turgeon describe his style of basketball during his introductory news conference Wednesday?

"Winning."

Wait, the Terps didn't hire a guy named Charlie, did they?

Luckily, the man at the podium continued with his description, and it didn't include the word "duh."

"We're going to have a fun style," Turgeon said. "We're going to play defense. We're going to get after defensively. We're going to rebound. We're going to play with toughness. We're going to do it the right way, build the right way.  We're not going to cut any corners when it comes to that."

The former Texas A&M coach has large shoes to fill as he becomes the successor to Gary Williams.  Turgeon said he left Texas A&M because Terrapin basketball has a "great tradition" and that "Maryland is a special place."

Williams was known for running a clean program, and Turgeon said that's something he will strive for, as well.

"I'm going to recruit character first," he said. "You win with character. I've done that.  I've been lucky enough to be around guys that recruit character first, and I believe in character. Doesn't always have to be the best talent, but you have the best character.  If you have that mixed with talent you're going to go a long way."

Before accepting the job, Turgeon said he called Williams on Sunday. Turgeon said Williams "had a lot to do with me being here."

"He gave me the confidence that I could come here and be successful," Turgeon said.

Texas A&M reached the NCAA tournament in each of Turgeon's four years at College Station, and he said he hopes for similar success in College Park.

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