After leading the Coronado Lady Leopards to a 53-28 record over three years, Kamau Turner is being replaced as girls basketball coach and athletic director.
“I was told that I didn’t meet expectations,” Turner said. “I wasn’t expecting it at all.”
Turner’s record at Coronado includes two district basketball championships and a district runner-up finish to eventual Class AA state champion Navajo Prep. Four years ago, before Turner took over, the Lady Leopards were 5-22.
“I was the one that created those expectations,” Turner said of his wins. “I believe it was more personal and political.”
Turner has been rehired as a physical education teacher at Coronado High School and said he plans to return — if he doesn’t find a position at another school that includes coaching.
“I’m looking for a really good coaching situation,” Turner said. “Everywhere I’ve gone, I’ve had to build. I’d like to go somewhere where I’m not starting at a disadvantage.”
Turner also coached the girls volleyball team, which had won just one game the season before he arrived. In Turner’s first year as coach, Coronado was District 2AA runner-up. The Leopards won the District 2AA title the following year and finished with a 19-3 record.
Turner relinquished the job this past season to make room for his assistant coach. He said that was also a factor in his termination.
“One of the things that was brought up was I didn’t coach volleyball,” Turner said. “The plan was to hire my assistant, Kacy Cochran.”
Cochran was not hired and the head volleyball job went to Vicky Abreu instead.
Turner said he regrets that he will not return as basketball coach.
“Those girls that I went to war with, I want them to know I loved it,” Turner said. “I’m upset — not for me, but for the girls that are coming back. When they were freshman, they asked me if I was going to stay until they were seniors and I said, ‘I will if they let me.’”
Jemez Mountain School District Superintendent Adan Delgado did not return a call seeking comment.