Ex-Maryland Coach Mark Turgeon Named New Kansas City Head Coach

Turgeon, a Kansas native, takes over struggling Roos program ahead of 2026-27 season

Feb. 1, 2026 at 6:47pm

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Former Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon has been named the new head coach of the Kansas City men's basketball team, the school announced on Sunday. Turgeon, a Kansas native who played at the University of Kansas in the 1980s, will take over a struggling Roos program that is just 4-18 this season and has only one Division I win.

Why it matters

Turgeon's hiring represents a homecoming for the veteran coach, who has over 20 years of head coaching experience at the Division I level. His track record of success, including 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, could help revive a Kansas City program that has struggled in recent years and is looking to build a "championship culture."

The details

Turgeon, who turns 61 this week, previously served as the head coach at Jacksonville State, Wichita State, Texas A&M, and Maryland over his career. He parted ways with Maryland in December 2021, eight games into the 2021-22 season. Kansas City announced on Jan. 12 that current head coach Marvin Menzies will finish out this season but will not return next year.

  • Turgeon was named the new Kansas City head coach on Sunday, February 2, 2026.
  • Menzies will coach the Roos for the remainder of the 2026-27 season before departing.

The players

Mark Turgeon

A veteran head coach with over 20 years of experience at the Division I level, including stops at Maryland, Texas A&M, Wichita State, and Jacksonville State. Turgeon is a Kansas native who played point guard at the University of Kansas in the 1980s.

Marvin Menzies

The current head coach of the Kansas City Roos, who will finish out the 2026-27 season before departing the program.

Brandon Martin

The vice chancellor and director of athletics at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, who praised Turgeon's "credibility and success" in hiring him as the new Roos head coach.

Mauli Agrawal

The chancellor of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, who Turgeon said he could build a "strong partnership" with in taking over the Roos program.

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What they’re saying

“It is an honor to be returning home and to be trusted to build a winning tradition with Kansas City men's basketball. It was obvious through our initial conversations that I could build a strong partnership with Dr. (Brandon Martin, vice chancellor/director of athletics) and Chancellor (Mauli) Agrawal.”

— Mark Turgeon, New Kansas City Head Coach

“Coach Turgeon brings a wealth of credibility and success for our fan base, alumni, donors and key stakeholders throughout Kansas City. This will undoubtedly be an exciting and rewarding era for our Roo basketball program.”

— Brandon Martin, Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics, University of Missouri-Kansas City

What’s next

Turgeon will take over the Kansas City program ahead of the 2026-27 season, with current head coach Marvin Menzies finishing out the current campaign.

The takeaway

Turgeon's homecoming to Kansas as the new head coach of the Kansas City Roos represents an opportunity to revive a struggling program and build a "championship culture" in the city, leveraging his decades of experience and success at the Division I level.