David Turner’s long coaching career has officially come to an end. After serving under four different Mississippi State head coaches and spending nearly 40 years on the sidelines, the veteran defensive line coach has announced his retirement.
Turner was set to transition into a senior defensive line consultant role for the upcoming season, but instead chose to step away from football entirely. His departure marks the end of an era for a program that proudly embraced the “DL U” reputation, a label built in large part through Turner’s work developing elite defensive linemen. His efforts were recognized nationally in 2019 when he earned the FootballScoop Defensive Line Coach of the Year award.
Mississippi State fans have become familiar with Turner’s impact over the past two decades. He returned to Starkville for a third stint in 2023 after being hired by Zach Arnett, and Jeff Lebby retained him when he took over the program later that year. Turner’s first tenure with the Bulldogs lasted from 2007-09 after joining Sylvester Croom’s staff before being retained by Dan Mullen. His second stint, from 2013-15 under Mullen, coincided with one of the most dominant stretches for Mississippi State’s defensive front.
Over nine seasons in Starkville, Turner helped develop an impressive collection of NFL talent, including Fletcher Cox, Chris Jones, Preston Smith, Pernell McPhee, Josh Boyd, Kyle Love and Gerri Green. He also recruited five-star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons before departing the program. Beyond those future professionals, Turner mentored numerous All-SEC performers and dependable starters who played key roles for the Bulldogs.
His coaching influence extended well beyond Mississippi State. Turner worked at Alabama, Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Florida in the SEC while also making stops at NC State, James Madison, Virginia, Minnesota, UTSA and Georgia Tech. During his time at Texas A&M, he coached future No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick Myles Garrett. Throughout his career, Turner contributed to 17 bowl teams and helped guide 15 players into the NFL Draft.
A native of Goldston, North Carolina, Turner began his football journey as a running back at Davidson College from 1981-84 before earning his sociology degree in 1985. He joined the Wildcats’ coaching staff the following year, initially working with running backs and tight ends before moving to defense in 1987, where he remained for the rest of his career. Turner and his wife, Yvette, have two daughters, Bianca and Alexyia.
With Turner’s retirement, responsibility for Mississippi State’s defensive line now belongs to Ty Warren. The former New England Patriots first-round pick and two-time Super Bowl champion was hired by Jeff Lebby in December after coaching at Rice. Warren had the opportunity to work alongside Turner throughout the spring, providing a valuable transition before taking full control of the position group.
Few defensive line coaches can match the consistency and success Turner enjoyed throughout his career, making his retirement the close of an accomplished coaching legacy.
Leave a Reply