Bruce Turner
Bruce Turner

Bio

Head Coach Bruce Turner enters his 19th year at the helm of East LA College Women's Basketball

 

The East Los Angeles Women’s Basketball team has been under vigorous, consistent and prosperous leadership since head coach Bruce Turner has taken the helm of the Lady Huskies program. Coach Turner continues to work hard to capture and instill discipline, work ethic and pride to the program. He has led the women’s team through many successful campaigns, which includes their eighth straight trip to the State Playoffs.

Under Coach Turner’s leadership, the Lady Huskies have made five Elite Eight appearances, two Final Four’s including one trip in 2016 - an historic playoff run that ended in the State Championship game.

Coach Turner is proud of the self-esteem developed after articulating with the young ladies during their two years as student-athletes. The ELAC women’s basketball program has a 92% transfer rate since Turner began as Head Coach in 2006. Through consistent mentoring and coaching, minority athletes have made education a priority and they love to express their athletic ability through “pressure defense and fast break,” a style designed by Coach Turner.

Bruce Turner obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree from California State University, Los Angeles. He has put his degrees to good use, teaching in the public-school system for the past 29 years. Turner has also coached at the university level, having lead his alma mater's Men’s Basketball program from 1991-1996. He also worked with girls' teams and programs throughout Southern California in the past 29 years.

Turner is a man of faith; he serves the Greater Watts community with his commitment to the Deacon Ministry at Tabernacle of Faith Baptist Church. Turner said, “This church saved my life, and I will be forever grateful’. His family moved to Watts (Nickerson Gardens Projects) shortly after the Watts Riots. He remembers how members of the church encouraged him to become a productive citizen.

Finally... Coach Turner wants you to know that if you want to learn the game, as well as transfer to a university program, then he is the type of leader you need. His track record proves that he can take you from where you are and, through hard work, develop you into an excellent, fundamental student-athlete.

 

Coach has been married to Robin, and has a son named Jordan as well as a daughter named Morgan.

 

Milestones

 

  • Best Record: 28-3 (2016-17). Most Wins: 29-4 (2014-15). Longest Streak: Eleven (2016-17).
  • NCAA Division I Transfers: Nine. Playoff Berths: 9 including last six years. Coach of the Year: Three, 2012 (South Coast Conference), 2015 (SCC North) and 2015 (South Region).
  • Turner’s 100th victory was a 70-56 win vs. Saddleback College for the Husky Classic championship on Dec. 23, 2013. Turner’s 200th victory was a 104-50 win over Imperial Valley College on Dec. 28, 2017.
  • Turner’s 250th victory was 83 – 69 win over Los Angeles Trade Technical College on February 9, 2022.