Hajj Turner

Position: Associate Head Coach Experience: 2nd year at GW Alma Mater: Louisville '02

Hajj Turner is in his second year as associate head coach for men's basketball at the George Washington University under head coach Mike Lonergan.

"We are extremely fortunate to have Hajj join us as we strive to take the GW men's basketball program to the next level," Lonergan said. "Hajj has tremendous experience both playing and coaching college basketball, and I am excited about what he will bring to GW."

Prior to joining Lonergan at GW in 2011, Turner spent the previous six seasons at the University of Vermont under Lonergan, including the position of Associate Head Coach for the 2010-11 season. He joined Lonergan's UVM staff in May of 2005.

"It's a great honor to be named as Associate Head Coach for the Colonials," said Turner. "GW is an outstanding university that plays high-level basketball in a great conference, and I am thrilled to continue to work with Coach Lonergan as we take GW basketball to great heights."

A 2001 graduate and former team captain at Louisville, Turner spent the two seasons prior to coming to Vermont at Maryland as the assistant director and men's basketball coordinator of the school's academic support and career development unit. In 2004-05, he worked closely with Lonergan who was an assistant with the Terrapins. Prior to that, Turner was an intern at the NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis working on the preparation of both the Men's and Women's Division I National Basketball Championships.

At Vermont, Turner was involved in many aspects of the basketball program including recruiting, academics, individual skill development, conditioning, and opponent scouting. He also worked closely with the Catamount big men and played an instrumental role in the development of America East All-Conference performers Martin Klimes (Third Team, All-Defensive Team), center Chris Holm (First Team) and Marqus Blakely (Two-time Player and Defensive Player of the Year). Holm finished the 2006-07 season ranked second in the nation in rebounding.

A native of Charlottesville, Va., Turner graduated as the top undergraduate student in Pan African Studies in 2001 and became only the second player in school history to pursue a master's degree while playing for Louisville (higher education and sports administration), graduating in the spring of 2002. He played for both Denny Crum and Rick Pitino during his five-year career, while earning All-Conference USA Academic Honor Roll honors in each of his five seasons. As a senior, he was voted co-captain by his teammates on Pitino's first Cardinal squad.

Turner's older sister, Mandisa, played for the Colonials women's basketball team from 1996-99.