Staff Directory
- Title:
- Coordinator of Student-Athlete Initiatives
- Email:
- Phone:
- 732-977-5336
Harry Turner returns to Rutgers Athletics as Coordinator of Student-Athlete Initiatives with Scarlet Knights For Life. Turner previously worked with the Scarlet Knights' wrestling program as Director of Recruiting and Player Development from 2018-19.
Turner currently serves concurrently as Executive Director for the Newark chapter of national wrestling non-profit Beat The Streets as well as head coach of the St. Benedict’s Prep wrestling team in Newark, where he has raised over $1.75M across both causes since his hire in 2023. Turner was also the head men's wrestling coach at NJCU from 2019-23.
A former standout at Lock Haven University and Howell High School, Turner previously held various roles with Rutgers wrestling, including his time as Director of Recruiting and Player Development, which featured the program's first two individual NCAA Champions in Anthony Ashnault and Nick Suriano.
Prior to his first stint "On the Banks," Turner spent two seasons as a volunteer assistant coach at Buffalo. Turner worked primarily with the UB upper weights. Outside of the wrestling room, Turner led the Bulls' fundraising efforts and monitored team academics.
In his first season with UB, Turner helped guide Joe Ariola (184) to a national tournament appearance and Jake Gunning (285) to a MAC Championship runner-up finish.
Turner joined the Bulls' staff after he served as a student assistant and later, assistant coach at his alma mater Lock Haven under Scott Moore. While wrestling at LHU, Turner won over 90 matches as a four-year starter, earning the second most heavyweight victories in school history en route to a 2010 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference title. Turner also enjoyed a standout career at Howell High School, where he was the NJSIAA runner-up at heavyweight in 2008.
A native of Howell, N.J., Turner graduated with a bachelor's in health and physical education from Lock Haven and his MBA from NJCU. Turner and his wife, Nicole, live in Brick with their two children, Weston and Gia.
