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For First Time In Generations, Billy Turner's Not The Coach

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 6, 2009

TAMPA - The news release, written by Billy Turner himself, was only six paragraphs. That hardly seemed adequate to encapsulate a half-century of accomplishments, a half-century of memories.

But the first sentence was perfect.

It has been a great life!

And it's the end of an era.

Turner, who won more games than any other head football coach in Hillsborough County history, announced his retirement from Chamberlain High School this morning, leaving a small group of reporters with a few laughs, a few tears, tons of hilarious stories and the faith that he's doing the right thing.

"I haven't ever done anything else,'' said Turner, 71. "So it's a little scary to think [about something else], but I think there is life beyond football. I'm going to find out.''

For three decades, Turner put the life into Chamberlain's football program. Many seasons, the Chiefs beat the odds and outfought programs with more experience and more talent.

There was the "Billy Ball'' phase, when Chamberlain trotted out an assortment of trick plays and gadgets, always keeping the game's outcome in doubt, usually making for a rousing Friday night of entertainment.

There were some down years, when Turner got discouraged and thought he might quit, when he wondered whether Chamberlain football could compete at the highest level.

Then there was the final decade, Turner's revitalization, when Chamberlain became a consistent factor, when the 2001 team reached the Class 5A state championship game, when his last two teams made serious runs through the state playoffs.

Turner says he's tired. He wants to pace himself, play some golf, spend more time with his family (he and wife Lucille have eight children and 20 grandchildren).

You can't judge a high-school coach solely by his won-loss record.

The real story is built over time. How do his former players speak of him? What do his colleagues say?

On those counts, Turner is one of the county's greatest success stories. He has sent nine players to the NFL, including a first-round draft choice in Brodrick Bunkley. But he has others who are doctors, lawyers and businessmen, others who have received an Ivy League education.

Turner has attended the weddings – and funerals – of his former players.

Players from his first team – the 1968 Hillsborough Terriers, unbeaten in the regular season – are nearing their 60th birthday.

I saw that team play at the old Tampa Stadium. It was the first time I ever entered that building. I was 8 years old.

And Turner was the coach.

One of the first football games I ever covered was Chamberlain-King in 1980. Turner was the coach, and he couldn't have been more accommodating to a rookie reporter.

This morning, I met Turner in his office, and it seemed a little surreal.

Turner was no longer the coach.

For the first time in my memory, Billy Turner is not the coach.

The formalities don't really matter. Billy Turner is Chamberlain High School. And he always will be.

Turner said it perfectly.

It has been a great life.

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