St. Mary's Tabs Bryan Turner as Next Basketball Coach

Bryan Turner moved one seat down the bench.

But what a difference it makes.

After three years as an assistant, Turner was introduced Tuesday as the new St. Mary's basketball coach.

Turner takes over after former coach Kelvin Lee and the administration of St. Mary's “mutually agreed,” according to the school's news release, to end their three-year relationship in April.

Turner, 35, came in to St. Mary's with Lee as an assistant after he was the boys basketball coach at Beaumont and the coach and athletics director at Gateway STEM. He graduated Beaumont in 2000 as its all-time leading scorer and then went on to a four-year career at SIU Carbondale, where he played for Bruce Weber and Matt Painter.

After two stints as a head coach, Turner said he enjoyed his time as an assistant coach with Lee because it allowed him more time to spend with those who mean the most to him.

“My son is 5. Just doing so much with a young family and trying to juggle all of that, I can't go to the kids and say we're going to be about family and not be there for my family,” Turner said. “I got to take a back seat and evaluate some things. I got to come over and just coach.”

With Lee's departure, St. Mary's wanted someone it felt wanted to be with the program and whose values aligned with the school.

Turner was that man.

“Coach Turner wants to be a Dragon with you guys,” St. Mary's president Mike Englad said to the players.

Turner remaining with the Dragons ensures continuity as one of the most talented teams in St. Mary's history appears primed for a record-breaking season. Last season the Dragons were 25-4 and lost in overtime of a Class 4 sectional to eventual champion Vashon. During Lee's tenure, the Dragons went 60-23. The 2015-16 season ended with a district runner-up trophy, once again at the hands of Vashon.

Before Turner was introduced, St. Mary's athletics director Tony Dattoli and England recognized three underclassmen for milestones achieved during the past season. Junior guard Tony Burks and junior forward Yahuza Rasas both were presented with honorary basketballs commemorating their membership in the 1,000-point club.

Sophomore point guard Yuri Collins was given a similar ball that recognized him as the program's all-time assists leader.

All three are crucial parts of St. Mary's future. It was a shock for the team when Lee told them he would not return. But they are excited to see what they can achieve with Turner.

“It was tough. We didn't expect it. Coach Lee was telling us he had to make decisions for him and his family. We appreciate everything he's done for us,” Burks said. “We're used to Coach Turner. Nothing should change much. We'll hop on the train Coach Lee left us on and keep it running and keep going forward.”

Added Rasas, “There's no one else I'd rather have.”

St. Mary's expects it will return 11 varsity players next winter with healthy additions from its junior varsity roster. After coming so close to dethroning Vashon this past season, a lot of the conversation about next winter is whether or not the Dragons can find their way past the powerhouse Wolverines.

Turner refuses to focus on that.

“My main thing is trying to get to these guys, it's not about beating Vashon. I'd hate to get to that point next year, that same game, beat a Vashon and then lose to a Sikeston. We have to try and improve every single day,” Turner said. “We've proved that we can play with anybody around the area. It's up to these guys to constantly believe and stick to the game plan.”

Turner couldn't say enough about how many hours this group puts in the gym.

The work ethic combined with their talents and a coach that knows them well have St. Mary's on the cusp of something truly special.

“It's going to be a great season,” Rasas said. “We're going to give as much as we can.” - By David Kvidahl of the Post Dispatch