As of Monday, Stanford has relieved Shannon Turley of his duties with the program. The long-time football strength coach and sports performance director spent 12 years with the Cardinal.
Turley was placed on administrative leave in February without a detailed explanation from the University. According to sources with The Bootleg and Rivals, his suspension came after a former player stepped forward with complaints about Turley.
Turley joined the program in 2006, where he immediately made a major impact in helping reduce the number of on-field injuries with the football program. In 2013, he was promoted to Director of Sports Performance. In 2015, Turley briefly appeared to be headed to Michigan to join Harbaugh’s staff, but ultimately stayed with Stanford.
Comments
It seems strange that we can never know what happened
To have a major guy like this suspended and then dismissed with no explanation is… unsatisfying. It would be nice to know what went down.
I guess it’s next man up…
By g8tgod on 04.17.19 9:41am
Yeah, strange context...
…and yet many of us were questioning strength and conditioning direction as injuries and 4th quarter meltdowns mounted last season.
Well, who’s on deck?
By Plan Man on 04.17.19 4:44pm
Trust there is a reason.... but damn
I didn’t really know what a meaningful role he filled until reading about him after he was let go. Seems like he was great at his job and important to the program. Taking that into account, the complaint against him must have been a big deal. Hope we get someone great to replace him.
By NowBoy on 04.18.19 6:06am
Turley's Responsibilities Were Broadened in The Past Year
And I think it had a meaningful impact on the football program. Strength and conditioning issues, plus more injuries (maybe).
Address the problem, not the person. He is gone anyway.
By hoyaparanoia on 04.18.19 9:50am
Don't be afraid to be a journalist
I know the writers on this site are performing a balancing act, but I feel that when the athletic department says there will be no further comment, the job of a journalist is not to accept that as the final answer but to find people who are willing to comment. I get the sense that zero effort is being made to find out what went on with Turley. Did the higher rate of injury play a factor? Was that just random or did training protocols change? What do former Stanford players say about what he meant to the program and why things fell apart? There’s a story to be told here.
By Jonathan Brandt on 04.18.19 3:59pm
Jonathan, you get a huge...
…BINGO on that.
My Bachelor’s was in journalism (Print Journalism: tells you how ancient I am) and you struck the heart of the craft in one post…
By Plan Man on 04.18.19 4:30pm
Turley departure
From a published article on Cardinal Sports Report. "Multiple sources told Cardinal Sports Report that there was an issue brought to Stanford’s attention involving a former player."
There are some comments on Stanford sports chat hangouts about what the issue might have been, but rather not spread rumors. Would suspect his next job might be in the NFL rather than a college.
By vk on 04.19.19 2:13pm
Empower the Internet!
I’m pretty sure that the Internet was invented for the purpose of spreading rumors.
"And let he who has but gossip and rumor deliver that upon the Internet"
- Corinthians 11
By Blackjoy on 04.20.19 12:05pm
OK, then
The rumor I saw was that a football player complained to the university Turley exposed himself to him. No idea if it’s true.
By vk on 04.20.19 9:07pm
Well, that would do it.
I heard Harbaugh wanted Turley at Michigan. If Stanford isn’t going to disclose the reason why Turley was fired, then the man shouldn’t have trouble getting another job.
By Blackjoy on 04.20.19 11:58pm
I thought...
…that the rumor was he dropped trow in front of a group of players. Not that I’m saying it was appropriate, but it sounded more like a failed attempt at humor than a come-on.
By Jonathan Brandt on 04.23.19 7:24pm
I don't know
It’ll be interesting. After Penn State, I don’t think any school (especially Big 10) can take any risks. The NFL doesn’t have that constraint.
By vk on 04.21.19 8:01am