Having already left his mark on the UNC Pembroke football program as a standout defensive lineman for the Braves, Mat Turner begins his transition into the coaching world as a second-year graduate assistant coach for the Braves in 2017-18. Turner will primarily work with UNCP’s tight ends, while also serving as quality control.
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A four-year starter for Code Black, Turner played in 40 career games for the Black & Gold from 2011-14 and logged 126 career tackles (60 solo), including 28 tackles for loss. In addition to his gaudy tackles total, he also tallied 15 quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and five pass break-ups. Turner earned all-region accolades from both Football Gazette and Daktronics following a junior campaign that saw him turn in 54 tackles, including a then-school record 8-1/2 sacks.
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He finished his career in the Black & Gold with 18-1/2 sacks – a number that ranks second all-time behind former teammate and current coaching UNCP running backs coach, DeVante Bush.
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Turner earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science from UNCP in 2016. He served as an assistant coach at Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem, N.C., during the 2015 season while he finished his coursework.
