Definition
Turner Gill (born September 27, 1962) is an American former gridiron football quarterback and college football head coach.
Overview
Gill played college football at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he was the team's starting quarterback from 1984 to 1985 and earned All‑Big Eight Conference honors. After completing his collegiate career, he was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 11th round of the 1986 NFL Draft and spent time on the rosters of the 49ers, Cleveland Browns, and the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts, although he saw limited playing time in professional leagues.
Transitioning to coaching, Gill served as an assistant at various programs before being appointed head coach at the University of Wyoming (1999–2002). He later became the head coach at the University of Kansas (2002–2003) and, most notably, the University at Buffalo (2006–2014). Under his leadership, Buffalo achieved its first Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) bowl appearance and victory (the 2009 International Bowl). Gill resigned from Buffalo in 2014 and subsequently held administrative and advisory roles, including as the athletic director at the University of North Dakota.
Etymology / Origin
The name “Turner” is of English origin, traditionally an occupational surname meaning “one who works a lathe.” As a given name, it derives from the surname. “Gill” is a surname of English, Scottish, and Northern Irish origin, often a variant of “Gille,” meaning “son of the servant,” or deriving from the Old Norse word “gil,” meaning “ravine.” In the context of this entry, “Turner Gill” refers to the individual's personal name rather than a conceptual term.
Characteristics
- Playing Style: As a quarterback, Gill was recognized for his mobility, leadership, and ability to execute the option offense employed by Nebraska during the mid‑1980s.
- Coaching Philosophy: Gill emphasized disciplined, fundamentals‑based football, focusing on player development and academic achievement. His tenure at Buffalo highlighted a program‑building approach that resulted in the school's first conference championship and bowl win.
- Achievements:
- All‑Big Eight Conference selection (1985)
- Led Buffalo to the 2009 International Bowl victory over Connecticut
- Named MAC Coach of the Year (2009)
- Professional Record: As a head coach, Gill compiled an overall collegiate record of 67–71.
Related Topics
- University of Nebraska Cornhuskers football
- NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)
- Mid‑American Conference (MAC) football
- University at Buffalo Bulls football
- College football coaching career pathways
All information presented is drawn from publicly available biographical and sports records.