University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame
M. K. Turk
- Induction:
- 1991
M.K. Turk spent 20 seasons as the head basketball coach at the University of Southern Mississippi and finished his career as the all-time winningiest coach in school history with 300 victories.
After a successful stint as athletic director and head basketball coach at Copiah-Lincoln Junior College in Wesson, Mississippi, and a couple of seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Memphis, Turk took over as coach of the Golden Eagles for the 1976-77 and immediately began building the program into one of the most competitive in the nation.
Turk accomplished what no other Southern Miss coach has ever been able to achieve— back to back trips to the NCAA Tournament and winning the National Invitation Tournament.
Turk took the Golden Eagles to eight post-season appearances starting with the 1980-81 season when they made their first ever appearance in the NIT, following a 20-7 season.
After taking the team to the NIT again in 1985-86, Turk and the Golden Eagles captured the 50th championship of the event with an 84-80 win over LaSalle in New York’s Madison Square Garden. The championship was a first ever national title for a Mississippi Division I school.
His 1989-90 squad finished 20-12 and finished second in the regular season of the Metro Conference and then received the school’s first ever NCAA bid.
The 1990-91 squad followed with a 21-8 mark and won the Metro Conference regular season championship and again earned a berth to the NCAA regionals. That team graced the Associated Press Top 25 pre-season poll and went to the NCAA Tournament ranked as one of the nation’s top 25.
After Turk led the Golden Eagles to the top of the independent ranks, he then guided their entry into the Metro Conference in 1982, lending further stature to the program. Then in 1995-96 Turk guided the Golden Eagles into Conference USA as a charter member.
Many players from Turk’s program have gone on to successful careers in both professional basketball and business. Former Golden Eagle Clarence Weatherspoon was the 9th pick in the 1992 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Teammate Joe Courtney had stints with several NBA clubs and Randolph Keys was a former number one pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers. A number of other former players are currently playing in both the CBA and overseas.
He has also turned out several assistant coaches and players who are currently continuing their careers coaching at both the high school and collegiate levels.
Among the many honors Turk has received are being named the 1986-87 NIT Coach of the Year and the 1985-86 Metro Conference Coach of the Year.
After a successful stint as athletic director and head basketball coach at Copiah-Lincoln Junior College in Wesson, Mississippi, and a couple of seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Memphis, Turk took over as coach of the Golden Eagles for the 1976-77 and immediately began building the program into one of the most competitive in the nation.
Turk accomplished what no other Southern Miss coach has ever been able to achieve— back to back trips to the NCAA Tournament and winning the National Invitation Tournament.
Turk took the Golden Eagles to eight post-season appearances starting with the 1980-81 season when they made their first ever appearance in the NIT, following a 20-7 season.
After taking the team to the NIT again in 1985-86, Turk and the Golden Eagles captured the 50th championship of the event with an 84-80 win over LaSalle in New York’s Madison Square Garden. The championship was a first ever national title for a Mississippi Division I school.
His 1989-90 squad finished 20-12 and finished second in the regular season of the Metro Conference and then received the school’s first ever NCAA bid.
The 1990-91 squad followed with a 21-8 mark and won the Metro Conference regular season championship and again earned a berth to the NCAA regionals. That team graced the Associated Press Top 25 pre-season poll and went to the NCAA Tournament ranked as one of the nation’s top 25.
After Turk led the Golden Eagles to the top of the independent ranks, he then guided their entry into the Metro Conference in 1982, lending further stature to the program. Then in 1995-96 Turk guided the Golden Eagles into Conference USA as a charter member.
Many players from Turk’s program have gone on to successful careers in both professional basketball and business. Former Golden Eagle Clarence Weatherspoon was the 9th pick in the 1992 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Teammate Joe Courtney had stints with several NBA clubs and Randolph Keys was a former number one pick by the Cleveland Cavaliers. A number of other former players are currently playing in both the CBA and overseas.
He has also turned out several assistant coaches and players who are currently continuing their careers coaching at both the high school and collegiate levels.
Among the many honors Turk has received are being named the 1986-87 NIT Coach of the Year and the 1985-86 Metro Conference Coach of the Year.
Full Highlights - Southern Miss vs ULM
Saturday, January 10
Full Highlights - Southern Miss vs. Texas State
Friday, January 09
Women's Basketball Condensed Game - 1/1/2026 vs. Troy
Saturday, January 03
Women's Basketball Postgame Press Conference - Jan. 3 vs. Troy
Saturday, January 03
