Mike Turner returns as the Eagles' offensive coordinator. He is the architect of an Eagle offense that is one of the most potent in college football and has been offensive coordinator for 20 seasons, but his ties to Carson-Newman span almost three decades.

Last season, Carson-Newman ranked second in the SAC and nationally in rushing offense, averaging 311.18 yards per game. The Eagle offensive line tied for 17th nationally and was tops in the conference in sacks allowed, giving up only 1.18 sacks per contest. Four Eagles earned All-SAC honors on offense, while offensive lineman Michael Tribue garnered first team Daktronics All-American honors for a second straight year.

In 2009 under the tutelage of Turner, the Eagles led nation in rushing offense with 336.7 yards per game. C-N was also eighth in total offense (471.9) and eighth in scoring offense (38.36 points per game). C-N set a single game record for total offense with 803 yards in a 70-35 victory over Tusculum, including a school record 671 yards on the ground.

During the 2008 campaign, C-N led the nation in rushing offense with a 310.9 yards per game average. The Eagles were also fifth in the nation in total offense (472 ypg.), sixth in passing efficiency (161) and led the South Atlantic Conference in scoring offense (40.6 ppg.).

In 2007, the Eagles became the first team in SAC history to score at least 49 points in each conference game. C-N finished as the national leader in pass efficiency, as well as finishing second in scoring offense, third in rushing offense, and ninth in total offense, despite resting its starters in the second half of a number of games.

Turner is also the offensive line coach in addition to his offensive coordinator responsibilities. In 2004, he coached three offensive All-Americans in tight end Leonard Weaver (now a Philadelphia Eagle), as well as linemen Caleb Crothers and Reggie Perkins. Last season, offensive tackle Michael Tribue earned first team Daktronics All-American honors under the guidance of Turner.

A 1973 graduate of C-N, Turner played center on the Eagle football team and was a member of the 1972 Champion Bowl squad, the first C-N team to reach a national title game. After graduation, he went on to serve as assistant coach at such schools as Randleman (N.C.) High School, Lees-McRae College and Catawba College.

Turner returned to his alma mater to coach the offensive line from 1980-84, helping the Eagles win two national championships during that time. Turner then left C-N to serve as offensive coordinator at the University of North Alabama in 1985 and 1986, helping the Lions to a runner-up finish in NCAA Division II in his first season there. He returned to C-N as offensive coordinator from 1987-91 and saw the Eagles win two more national titles. In 1992, Turner returned to the high school ranks. He served as head football coach at Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tenn., where his squads went 18-6 in two seasons.

Following that successful 1993 season, Turner relinquished his coaching duties at Science Hill and came home once again. On that occasion, he was hired to increase membership and giving to the Eagle Club, the fund-raising arm of the athletic department. He added coaching to his job description the following year.

In 2003, Turner received the top honor given to assistant coaches. He was named the Division II Assistant Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association.

Turner and his wife, Conni, reside in Jefferson City. They have two children, Jenni and Josh.