Turner, Joseph - Football, 1981
Turner gained stardom at Savannah State College before launching a career as a football coach and athletic director at Tompkins High School. An All-Conference player, Turner captained SSC’s football team in the early 1950s and was the institution’s Man of the Year in 1952.
After graduation, Turner accepted a coaching position at Tompkins High School. There he coached football, basketball, and track. His football teams won three state crowns (1960, 1961, and 1964) and five region championships (1960, 1961, 1964, 1967, and 1973).Turner later served as athletic director until his retirement in 1981.
A member of the Savannah State Hall of Fame, Turner coached such standout athletes as Olympic Gold Medalist Lucinda Williams Adams and Miami Dolphins football players Johnny Holmes and Hubert Ginn.