Coach Billy Turner

Billy Turner spent almost forty years of his life being a head coach of high school football in the Tampa Bay Area. He was often heard saying that there was no greater honor as being referred to as "Coach," and for those who knew him, no one deserved the honor more.
Turner’s first job as a high school head coach was in 1968 with the the Hillsborough Terriers,. During his tenure, the team never lost a game during the regular season. Fifty out of his 255 lifelong wins would be accomplished while coaching his eight seasons at Hillsborough High. (Johnston, 2013)
Then, for the next 30 seasons, Turner would work as Chamberlain High School’s head coach. Chamberlain is where he would accomplish his next 205 wins resulting in his becoming the “winningest” coach in Tampa Bay’s history. Turner would lead his teams to a total of 255 wins in 25 winning seasons and 17 playoffs, including the last 11-consecutive years of his career. He led Chamberlain to their 5A state championship game in 2001, as well as reaching the 5A finals two subsequent times during his last two years as coach.
Throughout Turner’s career he would coach many players who went on to be successful in other spheres. Known to many as a coach who would do anything to help his players, Turner often went out of his way to assist players in numerous ways, from giving them rides after practice to helping those that were displaced. Many of them, whatever career path they chose, would never forget their time under the tutelage of Coach Turner.
Nine of his players would go on to the NFL. Brodrick Buntley, who played for Coach Turner, would be referred to as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com. He would play for the Florida Seminoles and become the highest selected defensive lineman since Corey Simon and eventually would be drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles.
During his nearly fifty years of coaching, Turner would see his players move on to Ivy league schools and become doctors, lawyers, fathers and grandfathers. Often he would a guest at their weddings and, sadly, attend a few of their funerals. His career was filled with the joy of many victories as well as knowing the frustration of loss. It is not surprising, given these many triumphs, as well as the positive affect he had on many of his players lives, that he would become something a legend in Tampa.
Turner would then enroll at University of Tampa where he would earn varsity letters in baseball, football and basketball during the four years he attended. Upon graduating, Turner would continue to play semi-pro football for local teams, getting paid $200 a game, in addition to coaching at the University of Tampa. He caused enough of a stir during this time that the Buffalo Bills sought him out. He signed a contract with them for the 1963-64 season. Turner played backup for Jack Kemp on a team that had players such as Daryle Lamonica; but spent only a few days on the team before being cut at which point he found his way back to Tampa.
Coach Turner’s coaching days on the field would end when his heart began to cause him issues. Despite having a pacemaker as well as a defibrillator, Turner would often find himself tired and weak. Soon after, a spot on his leg would be diagnosed as Merkel cell carcinoma. Radiation and surgery would be the first line of treatment; however, the cancer continued to spread and chemotherapy soon followed.<ref name=cancer/>
His wife was quoted saying that during his life he knew, if one play didn’t work, you try another. He handles his battle with cancer with the same optimism.<ref name=cancer/>

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