Turcott takes over as Archbishop Murphy boys basketball coach

Published 11:06 pm Monday, May 19, 2008

Greg Turcott is the new boys basketball coach at Archbishop Murphy High School. Turcott, who previously coached at Kamiak High, was hired Friday, Archbishop Murphy athletic director Rick Stubrud said Monday.

Turcott coached Kamiak the past two seasons, guiding the Knights to back-to-back Class 4A District 1 tournament appearances.

“I’m really excited about it. It’s going to be a great opportunity for me. It’s a fantastic place (and) a fantastic school,” he said in a voice message Monday about Murphy, which competes in the Cascade Conference.

Asked why Turcott was the best candidate, Stubrud said: “Number one, he’s just a real solid young coach (with) real good references. … He’s a basketball junky that puts a good product out on the floor.”

Turcott replaces Jerry Zander, who resigned after guiding Murphy to the Class 2A state tournament this past season. Zander said he plans to move to Arizona. He was Murphy’s head coach for eight seasons.

Turcott, who will teach World History, Current World Issues and Economics at Murphy, was an assistant coach at Blanchet before going to Kamiak.

Turcott will bring a disciplined, professional approach and plenty of enthusiasm to Murphy, Stubrud said.

“I think the work and the offseason stuff is going to be done the right way,” Stubrud said, “and he is going to make our kids better.”

Writer Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com.