Bio

Mike Turk became Huntingdon College's second head football coach in May 2004 and has been at the helm for every win in program history, including the program’s 100^th win in 2018.

Arriving on the heels of Huntingdon’s winless first season (0-7 in 2003), he has turned the program into a consistent winner with a 110-51 record. In 19 seasons he has guided the program to its first win (2004), first winning season (2005), first playoff appearance (2009), first regular-season national ranking (2012), first conference championship (2015) and first playoff victory (2015).

During his first season, Turk led the Hawks to a 4-5 record, including the program's first victory, a 35-21 win against Southwestern Assemblies of God University. Huntingdon was 7-2 during Turk's second season, the first winning record for a Huntingdon team. The Hawks have only had one losing season since.

In the 2022 season, Turk claimed his fifth Coach of the Year title by the USA South after completing a four-peat conference championship stance and going undefeated for the second year in a row. The Hawks reclaimed the Wesley Cup from Birmingham-Southern and traveled to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor for the first round of the NCAA Playoffs.

In 2021, Huntingdon went undefeated in the USA South for only the third time in program history. The team went on to the first round of the NCAA Tournament where they played in-state rival Birmingham-Southern and fell short on the road.

In 2020 the Hawks claimed the USA South Conference Championship against Methodist in the uncertainty of COVID-19. The team played only four games on the season with one loss to Brevard on the road.

In 2019, Huntingdon returned to the NCAA playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons and the fifth time in program history. Turk was named USA South Athletic Conference Coach of the Year as the Hawks put together an 8-4 season, captured their fourth USA South championship and advanced to the second round of the Division III playoffs.

Huntingdon’s 27-24 win over 19^th-ranked Berry in the first round marked the second playoff victory in program history. The Hawks’ season ended against top-ranked and defending national champion Mary Hardin-Baylor.

In seven seasons as a member of the USA South, Turk has guided the Hawks to a 58-10 conference record and has been named Coach of the Year fiven  times.

Huntingdon recorded the 100^th win in program history during the 2018 season. Despite a 4-5 record, the Hawks won four of their final five games and closed the season with a three-game winning streak.

In 2017, Huntingdon was 9-2, won its third straight USA South championship and advanced to the NCAA playoffs for a third straight season. After losing the season opener, the Hawks won nine straight games before falling to 18^th-ranked Berry College in the first round of the playoffs. In the process, Turk became the first football coach in the history of the USA South to be named Coach of the Year in three straight seasons.

The 2016 Hawks were ranked as high as No. 15, captured a second straight conference title and advanced to the NCAA playoffs for a second straight season. Turk was named USA South Coach of the Year for the second straight year as Huntingdon put together a 9-2 record.

The Hawks won their final six regular season games before falling to 12th-ranked Wheaton in the first round of the playoffs. After setting the school record for points in a season in 2015, the Hawks broke the record with 498 points and also set school records for total offense (5,983) and rushing yards (2,960) in a season.

In 2015, Turk earned his first USA South Coach of the Year recognition as Huntingdon put together the most successful season in program history. The Hawks were unbeaten in the USA South, won their first conference title and advanced to the NCAA Division III playoffs for just the second time. The team also set a school record for wins in a season with a 10-2 record.

Huntingdon's 38-27 win over Hendrix College in the first round marked the first playoff win in program history. Huntingdon won nine straight games, tying the program's longest winning streak, before falling to 10th-ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor in the second round. The Hawks finished the season ranked 24th in the final American Football Coaches Association poll and No. 25 in the final D3football.com poll, marking the first time Huntingdon has been ranked in both polls at the same time.

In 2014, Huntingdon was 7-3 and finished as the runner-up in the USA South Athletic Conference with a 6-2 conference record. The Hawks turned in another strong offensive season, averaging 476.6 yards of total offense per game and 37.3 points per game.

Huntingdon completed its first season as a member of the USA South in 2013. The Hawks were 7-3 and set a then-Division III season record for total offense per game with 585.8 yards per game. In addition to setting the school record for total offense with 5,858 yards, the team also set the school record for passing offense (3,447 yards).

The 2012 team became the first Huntingdon team to enter the regular-season national rankings. A 24-21 win over then 21st-ranked Hampden-Sydney propelled the Hawks into the rankings at No. 24. Huntingdon was ranked for seven weeks and climbed as high as 16th. The Hawks, who finished the season 5-3, were ranked in the Top-20 for the final four weeks of their season.

In 2011, Huntingdon boasted the toughest strength of schedule in Division III and finished 7-3. All three losses were against ranked opponents or opponents that were ranked during the course of the season. The Hawks also picked up their first two wins against nationally ranked opponents during the 2011 season.

Huntingdon posted a 6-4 mark in 2010. The two seasons before, Turk led Huntingdon to back-to-back 8-2 records in 2008 and 2009.

The 2009 team was the first Huntingdon squad to earn a berth in the NCAA Division III playoffs. As a result, Huntingdon earned a No. 23 ranking in the 2010 USA Today Sports Weekly Football Preview Special Edition.

The 2008 team outscored opponents 417-158 and rewrote the school record for total offense in a game on three occasions. The 2007 Hawks won four of their final five games to finish 5-5. Huntingdon was 6-4 in 2006, with three losses against nationally ranked teams.

Several individuals have also been recognized for their performances under the leadership of Turk. A total of six Hawks have earned All-American recognition since 2011 and Huntingdon has produced 34 All-Region selections since 2005.

Senior defensive lineman D.J. Chappell became the first Hawk to earn first-team All-American honors in 2012. Chappell was named to the American Football Coaches Association All-America team, the D3football.com All-American team and the AP Little All-America team. Chappell was named an honorable mention All-American by D3football.com in 2011.

In 2014, seniors Jeremy Murphy and Zach Brownell were recognized on the D3football.com All-American teams. Murphy earned second-team All-American honors as a special teams selection and Brownell, the Hawks’ first USA South Defensive Player of the Year, was an honorable mention All-American linebacker. 

In 2015, senior defensive back Anthony White and senior defensive lineman Heath McCray each earned honorable mention All-American honors from D3.football.com. White, the USA South Defensive Player of the Year, was also named second-team AP Little All-America. In 2018, senior linebacker Trey Hayes was named second-team All-America by the AFCA.

Chappell, a first-team All-South Region selection in 2011 and 2012, is one of six Huntingdon players to earn first-team All-Region recognition. In addition to Chappell, McCray (2015) Brownell (2014), Murphy (2014) and receiver Mark Colson (2006) were each named first-team All-South. In 2005, cornerback Jamaal Jemison garnered the same honor and was selected a preseason All-Division III player by Lindy's preseason annual.

Following a stellar career with the Hawks, receiver Cody Pearcy signed a free-agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons in the spring of 2012. Pearcy is one of six Hawks to earn preseason All-American status since 2010.

Hayes earned second-team honors and offensive lineman Chris Hering earned third-team recognition before the 2018 season. Chappell was named first-team preseason All-American in 2012 and running back Trevor Manuel was named second-team preseason All-American in 2012. Pearcy and defensive back Keith Anthony both received preseason All-American recognition entering the 2011 season. Anthony also received preseason second-team All-American recognition before the 2010 season.

In 2015, offensive lineman Chael Pridgen, a second-team selection as a senior and a third-team selection as a sophomore and junior, became the Hawks' first three-time All-Region selection. That same season, Pridgen and White became the first three-time, first-team All-Conference selections in Huntingdon history.

During its first seven seasons in the USA South, Huntingdon has produced two Defensive Players of the Year, three Defensive Rookies of the Year, two Offensive Players of the Year, 73 All-Conference selections and 184 USA South All-Academic selections.

In the lone season in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, 13 Hawks earned All-SLIAC honors, while seven student-athletes were named to the league's All-Academic squad. The Hawks have also had 70 players named to the National Football Foundation's Hampshire Honor Society since its inception in 2007.

A graduate of Jeff Davis High School in Montgomery, Turk was a walk-on quarterback for Troy State University in the spring of 1984. He became a prominent figure on the field and sideline for the Trojans during the next two decades.

Turk was a Troy assistant for 13 seasons before returning to his hometown roots. When he left Troy for Huntingdon, Turk had played or coached in 20 of the Trojans' 22 postseason games

While at Troy, Turk became one of the most decorated players in school history. He led the program to NCAA Division II national championships in 1984 and 1987. His teams were 40-8-1 in four seasons.

Turk was selected as an All-Conference performer in the Gulf South Conference three times and was runner-up for the prestigious Harlon Hill Trophy, given to the nation's top Division II performer. He was a consensus All-America selection as a senior and was named GSC Freshman of the Year in 1984.

Following his senior year, Turk was named the Division II Offensive Player of the Year by Football News. He was the first person to be chosen as the Alabama Sports Writers Association's Small College Athlete of the Year and Athlete of the Year in the same season.

Turk is the Trojans' sixth all-time leading rusher with 2,533 yards and holds the record for rushing yards by a quarterback. His 32 career rushing touchdowns ranks fourth and is tops among Troy quarterbacks. Turk's 6,707 yards of career total offense ranks fifth and his 62 touchdowns responsible for (passing and rushing) are fourth all-time.

In the spring of 2012, Turk was one of 11 inducted into the inaugural Troy University Athletic Hall of Fame. In addition to his mark left in Troy, Turk was enshrined as a member of the ninth class of the NCAA Division II Football Hall of Fame in December of 2007.

As Troy's running backs coach, Turk was responsible for building one of the nation's most consistent running games. Three of his running backs (Eddie Coleman, Arrid Gregory and Joe Jackson) rushed for more than 2,000 career yards. In 1997, Jackson broke Turk's school record for career rushing touchdowns with 34. During his 12 seasons as running backs coach at Troy, Turk had nine players to earn all-conference honors.

Turk earned his undergraduate degree in physical education and a master's degree in education from Troy State.

He is married to the former Danielle Warren of Alexander City. They have two sons and one daughter-in-law, Jimbo (and his wife Allison) and Jake.

Turk’s Record at Huntingdon 

2022: 9-2 (7-0 USA South) -- USA South champions

2021: 8-3 (8-0 USA South) -- USA South champions

2020: 3-1 (2-1 USA South) -- USA South champions

2019: 8-4 (6-1 USA South) -- USA South champions

2018: 4-5 (4-3 USA South)

2017: 9-2 (7-0 USA South) -- USA South champions

2016: 9-2 (6-1 USA South) -- USA South champions

2015: 10-2 (7-0 USA South) -- USA South champions 

2014: 7-3 (6-2 USA South)

2013: 7-3 (6-2 USA South)

2012: 5-3

2011: 7-3

2010: 6-4

2009: 8-2 (Hawks' first playoff appearance)

2008: 8-2

2007: 5-5

2006: 6-4

2005: 7-2 (Hawks' first winning season)

2004: 4-5

Total: 131-57