STATESBORO - Long-time Georgia high school football coach Milan Turner has been announced as the Director of High School Relations for the Georgia Southern football program, as announced Wednesday by head coach Clay Helton. Turner, who coached in six state championship games at five different Georgia high schools in his career, brings a wealth of knowledge and connections in Georgia high school football to the new position.

"We are very excited to welcome Coach Turner to our staff as our new Director of High School Relations," Helton said. "As a Georgia Southern alumnus, he has a true love for this university. Being an extremely successful Georgia high school coach, he has built very strong relationships across the state. Milan will be a tremendous asset to our recruiting efforts."

As a head coach, Turner went 112-43, and won a 2007 Class A state title with Emanuel County Institute in Twin City, Georgia. In all, Turner's list of accomplishments is long. His teams made 11 straight playoff appearances, won four region championships, and he was the 2019 GACA North/South All-Star Head Coach. He was also the 2012 Region 3-AAA Coach of the Year and a 2008 Under Armour Coach who got to coach in a national all-star game. He was also the 2008 Atlanta Falcons Class A Coach of Year, the 2008 Region 3-A Coach of Year, the 2007 Atlanta Touchdown Club Class A Coach of Year, the 2007 GACA Class A State Coach of Year, the 2007 Region 3-A Coach of Year and the 2006 Region 3-A Coach of Year.

"I am extremely thankful for Coach Clay Helton giving me the opportunity to come back to Georgia Southern University and be a part of such an elite staff and such an incredible football program with unparalleled tradition and success," Turner said.

As an assistant coach, his team Coffee High team was the 2017 AAAAAA State Runners-Up, the 2004 AAAA State Champions at Warner Robins High, the 2000 AAA State Runners-Up at Fitzgerald High, the 1994 AA State Runners-Up at Screven County High and won five region titles.

In his new role, Turner will act as a liaison to all high school coaches, establish and maintain meaningful relationships with Georgia Southern Football Alumni, establish and maintain meaningful relationships with high school coaches, coordinate the Georgia Southern Football Coaches Clinic, assist in on-campus recruiting, assist in Georgia Southern Football Camps, coordinate complimentary high school coaches tickets, manage and oversee the walk-on process as well as coordinate and run the Edwin Jackson Memorial Walk-On Tryouts.

Turner is a Double Eagle who earned both his undergraduate and Master's degrees from Georgia Southern. The Pembroke Pines, Florida, native is married to the former Wendi Hope Williford of Portal, Georgia. They are the proud parents of Dylan Turner and daughter-in-law Rachel Turner, daughter Regan Hamilton and son-in-law Carson Hamilton.