Turner resigns as Buster Track Coach (Audio)

Garden City, Kan (westernkansasnews.com)-After just one season as Head Track and Cross Country Coach at Garden City Community College, Ryan Turner resigned on Tuesday. 

“Ryan is a terrific coach with a great gift for recruiting and building a program,” GCCC Athletic Director Ryan Ruda said in a statement. “We were fortunate to have Ryan come in and help build the track program at GCCC; he leaves behind a great foundation.  We appreciate the work that he has done at GCCC, but ultimately, family comes first and we understand and respect his decision to want to move closer to family.  I wish him the best in his future endeavors.” 

Turner will take over the track program at Butler County Community College. The move is an effort for him to be closer to his children. 

“It’s a tough decision; the athletic department here has been great,” Turner said. “But I know I’m making the right decision.”

The Holdenville, Okla native came to Garden City last May after spending a year at Pratt Community College. Before that, he was the Men’s Cross Country Coach at the University of Houston. 

During the 2011-12 Season, Turner guided the men’s cross country program to a third-place finish at the Conference USA Cross Country Championships, their 2nd highest conference finish since 1996.

According to the Athletic’s Department, the search is officially on for Turner’s replacement.

Ryan Turner talks about his reasons for resigning