UT-Arlington hires Kentucky's KT Turner as head coach

It’s official: Kentucky assistant KT Turner has been named the head coach at UT Arlington, joining the Mavericks at the conclusion of the Wildcats’ season.

The UTA program announced Turner’s hire on Friday, just hours leading up to UK’s NCAA Tournament matchup vs. Providence.

“It is an absolute privilege and honor to be named the head coach at UT Arlington, and I could not be more excited to join the Mavericks and hit the ground sprinting,” Turner said in a statement. “UTA has so much potential — which I’ve witnessed first-hand as a former player — and my staff and I will work expeditiously to put together a winning program on the court, in the classroom, throughout Arlington and beyond that everyone associated with UTA will be proud to call their own.

“I expect to win, and I expect to do so quickly — as should all of our supporters. We’re going to take a progressive and aggressive approach to everything we do, creating a results-driven culture which will elevate us to a championship level. My family and I cannot wait to get to Arlington. Go Mavs!”

Turner is the 10th full-time coach in UTA history, bringing nearly 20 years of collegiate coaching experience ranging from Texas junior college to the University of Kentucky.

“KT distinguished himself from a tremendous candidate pool, and we are ecstatic to have him and his family join UTA,” UTA Director of Athletics Jon Fagg announced. “KT will bring a fresh perspective and an exceptional overall pedigree embedded with deep Texas roots. He is a stalwart coach who is highly regarded and respected among his peers and former players. Additionally, KT is a wonderful person who was raised with a servant mindset and will work tirelessly to raise the profiles of our student-athletes.”

“KT Turner has an impressive career in college basketball, and UTA is excited to welcome him back to coaching in Texas,” UTA President Jennifer Cowley added. “KT is an exceptional leader who will provide a dynamic perspective to bolster our program and lead us into a new era of men’s basketball. I am confident his leadership will propel our student-athletes to success on the heels of UTA’s recent move to the Western Athletic Conference.”

Turner joined the Kentucky coaching staff this past offseason, replacing Jai Lucas following his departure to Duke. He came from Oklahoma, where he spent one year on Porter Moser’s staff as the associate head coach. Before then, Turner was the associate head coach at Texas in 2020-21 and an assistant at SMU the previous seven seasons.

Until his time with UTA begins, he’s got a run to help lead the Wildcats on in the NCAA Tournament.