The Nation Ford Falcons have hired a new boys’ lacrosse coach.
Cory Turner, 46, was recently named boys’ varsity coach and brings more than 30-years of experience in the game to the sidelines.
Turner, who works in the healthcare industry, said he is excited about the opportunity.
“I want to try and develop the kids as not just players,” he said. “Give me an athlete and I can make them a lacrosse player. I am a hard coach, but a fair coach.”
Turner has coached at about every level except college having coached youth, travel and high school lacrosse. A former All-American lacrosse player in college, Turner is originally from Maryland. He worked as an assistant coach for the 1996 Maryland state champions at Severna Park.
Once down here, Turner immersed himself in the lacrosse scene. He started the Fort Mill Fury lacrosse program, which has won 14 of 28 tournaments it has participated in. He served as an assistant coach at Nation Ford for two years, 2012 and 2013, and was head coach at Cuthbertson 2016 to 2018.
While at Cuthbertson, the team had just one winning season in their first seven years and only one playoff berth. During his time there, they had two winning seasons, three playoff appearances and made it to the final four in the state.
Turner currently owns Mako Academy Lacrosse in Waxhaw, which focuses on turning kids into better athletes. They also do lessons, clinics and host teams, as well as work with struggling high school teams to improve their performances.
His next challenge is advancing the Nation Ford Falcons program.
“They have a good base of rising sophomores,” he said. “They are young. My goal is to be an elite program in South Carolina.”
Mac Banks: mac@fortmillprepsports.com, @fortprep
