Brandon Shields , USA TODAY NETWORK Tennessee 7:45 a.m. CT June 12, 2017<\/p>\n
Liberty Tech head coach Tyler Turner, right, celebrates with Laderian Harris after he squatted 585 lbs. during a weightlifting competition at University School of Jackson's Fred Teague Sr. Weight Training Facility in Jackson, Tenn., on Friday, April 7, 2017.(Photo: C.B. SCHMELTER\/The Jackson Sun)Buy Photo <\/p>\n
JACKSON After two seasons, 25 victories and a trip to Cookeville, Tyler Turner is stepping down as the head football coach at Liberty Tech. <\/p>\n
Turner informed his team Monday morning he was leaving and has accepted the head coaching job at Olive Branch, Miss. <\/p>\n
Im so grateful for the opportunity I got here two years ago when (former Liberty principal Dr. June Murry) and (Liberty athletic director) Luke Carter took a chance on a 29-year-old first time head coach, Turner said. Those two and (Liberty assistant principal) Wayne Alexander and (Liberty principal this past year) Tim Gilmer have been very supportive of the program, and I appreciate that. <\/p>\n
Turner became the head coach at Liberty in April of 2015, put together a spring practice schedule in less than three weeks and led the Crusaders to their first-ever undefeated regular season. They remained undefeated until the Class 3A semifinals. <\/p>\n
They made more history this past season when they made it back to the semifinals for a rematch with Christ Presbyterian Academy, the team whod defeated them the year before, and made the programs first trip to the BlueCross Bowl in Cookeville and played Alcoa for the state championship. <\/p>\n
I never caught a pass or made a tackle here at Liberty, Turner said. Any success we had was because of the fact that this team was made of the hardest-working group of kids Ive ever seen in high school football. <\/p>\n
I never had a bad day at Liberty because I knew no one would outwork us. And not only the kids, but the guys on this coaching staff. We changed up some stuff that first year and brought in a new coaching staff, and the coaches got to work early and stayed late a lot to get everything down we needed to. <\/p>\n
Clips from Liberty's scoring drive right before halftime. BRANDON SHIELDS\/The Jackson Sun <\/p>\n
Turner takes over proud program at Olive Branch thats fallen on hard times recently. Hell be the programs fourth head coach in as many years, and the team went 0-10 last year. They won the Mississippi Class 6A state championship in 2011. <\/p>\n
Olive Branch has high expectations, and its the kind of place coaches want to go to, Turner said. If the team isnt winning, the entire community isnt very happy. <\/p>\n
Plus its about halfway between my family in Obion County and my wifes family in Arkansas. With a 7-month-old daughter at home, this was a decision I made for my family. <\/p>\n
Turner understands the situation hes in taking the job so late in the offseason. <\/p>\n
And coming in this late in the offseason, Im prepared to go 100 miles an hour with my foot on the gas and no brakes to get ready for this season, Turner said. Its similar to when I came here right before spring and had to get ready with no one on staff, but theres a different kind of urgency because were a couple months closer to the season. <\/p>\n
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Turner said Libertys next coach has plenty to work with on the roster when hes hired. <\/p>\n
This is a good group of athletes that will work hard for their coach, because they worked hard for me, Turner said. They know what it takes to be a great team because theyve seen it and were a part of it for the last two years. <\/p>\n
Reach Brandon Shields at bjshields@jacksonsun.com<\/a> or at 731-425-9751. Follow him on Twitter @JSEditorBrandon or on Instagram at jacksonsunsports. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read the original post:<\/p>\n Liberty football coach Tyler Turner resigns - Jackson Sun<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Brandon Shields , USA TODAY NETWORK Tennessee 7:45 a.m. CT June 12, 2017 Liberty Tech head coach Tyler Turner, right, celebrates with Laderian Harris after he squatted 585 lbs. Continue reading