Smart isolates, so Turner will lead Longhorns
AUSTIN — It was the call from Larry Brown that really solidified Shaka Smart’s hunch about K.T. Turner.
Smart was scouring the summer market for a couple of new assistants after losing Jai Lucas to Kentucky and Luke Yaklich to Illinois-Chicago when the 80-year-old Hall of Fame coach called to offer a glowing review of Turner.
“K.T.’s the best assistant I’ve ever been around because of the impact that K.T. has on the people around him,” Brown told Smart last September, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
After seven seasons at SMU (2013-2020), including three as Brown’s assistant, Turner was officially hired as Texas’ associate head coach on Sept. 4. Almost five months later, Turner is readying to replace Smart as the Longhorns’ acting head coach for Tuesday’s home game against No. 24 Oklahoma (9-4, 5-3 Big 12).
Smart is isolating from the team and his family after testing positive for COVID-19. Big 12 protocols require Smart to remain isolated for 14 days. The rest of the team was to test again Monday as the conference waits to make a decision on Tuesday’s contest at the Erwin Center.
“I am working remotely and look forward to rejoining our team in person when it is safe to do so,” Smart said Monday in a brief statement.
Last week, No. 5 Texas (11-2, 5-1 Big 12) had games at Iowa State and at TCU postponed due to COVID-19 protocols within those programs. And a spate of outbreaks across the conference has kept the Longhorns idle since an 82-67 win over Kansas State on Jan. 16.
But Texas will at least be in good hands if it has to operate without Smart in the building. Turner, 42, got his start at Panola Junior College in 2005 and hasn’t stopped ascending, landing with Wichita State for its 2013 Final Four run before joining Brown’s SMU staff the following season.
During Turner’s seven seasons, the last four as Tim Jankovich’s associate head coach, the Mustangs won 69 percent of their games and were twice a No. 6 seed in the NCAA tournament. He also played a vital role in recruiting and player development for SMU, which in recent years produced NBA draft picks Semi Ojeleye (2017), Sterling Brown (2017) and Shake Milton (2018).
“We really feel good about what he’s bringing to our program,” Smart said of Turner before the season. “He’s got phenomenal experience — the different places he’s been, the guys that he’s worked with. And he really brings a servant mentality to serve the program, serve the players and the coaches around him. And he definitely specializes in helping young men move forward as people and as basketball players.”
Turner will be tested in his stint as Smart’s fill-in.
Oklahoma is rolling. The Sooners beat TCU and Kansas State by a combined 62 points and followed with a 75-68 win over No 9 Kansas. Sophomore guard De’Vion Harmon is averaging 20 points on 53.7 percent shooting and is 10 for 21 on 3s during OU’s three-game winning streak. Senior guard Austin Reeves is putting up 15 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per game, and stretch four Brady Manek has returned from COVID-19 quarantine.
What awaits Texas after Tuesday is a trip to Lexington to face underwhelming but still immensely talented Kentucky (5-9, 4-3 SEC), a visit from No. 2 Baylor (14-0, 7-0) and a rematch with Oklahoma State and ascendant star freshman Cade Cunningham.
But Turner seems more than capable of steering the Longhorns through a game or two as Smart quarantines and recovers.
“They’ve adapted really well to K.T.,” Smart said in November. “I mean, he’s one of those guys, if you don’t like him, then something’s wrong with you. He’s very easy to get along with. He really cares about the guys. And that’s very apparent.
“But he also, and I think this is a result of being the son of a coach and having been on coaching staffs with so many big-time, high-level coaches, has high expectations, and he holds the guys to a high standard. I think the guys appreciate that.”
Smart and Turner understood this scenario might arise given the unpredictable nature of traveling around the country amid a devastating pandemic. And while Turner will bring his own style to the sideline, he’ll also be an extension of Smart, entrusted with keeping this veteran team focused on the task at hand.
“He and I really connected well,” Smart said. “That’s important. I think at the top of the list for anyone is alignment. You want people that are going to be in line with your vision, with your core values as a program. You want people that are going to be about the right things, and he really checked those boxes.”