Like with all other coaches and athletes I've covered during my career as a host and columnist in my hometown, I've done my best to never make anything about my coverage of Maryland men's basketball coach Mark Turgeon personal.
That's not a difficult concept, of course. I believe my job is to try to reasonably reflect the greater feelings of a collective fan base, not to forcefully suggest that my own opinions are more meaningful than anyone else's. I do my best to avoid “hot takes.” I try to speak reasonably, even if not everyone always agrees with what I say. But I'm rarely critical for the sake of being critical. If an athlete or coach is a popular figure who has objectively done a good job, I don't feel the need to take shots at them just to offer a differing opinion. I try to reflect (within reason) a collective voice.
With that in mind, I don't think that in the last decade there's been a more difficult figure for me to analyze and discuss than Turgeon. I've certainly been tough on him during his eight years, but no more so than the many Maryland fans who have grown frustrated with the program's lack of tangible accomplishments during his tenure. I've also done my best to present Turgeon's more positive qualities.
