Turner Battle leaving UTC basketball staff for UAB

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University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men's basketball coach Will Wade announced Friday that assistant Turner Battle is leaving the program to accept a similar position for the University of Alabama of Birmingham.

Battle was headed into his second season with the Mocs after a standout playing career at point guard for the University of Buffalo.

Battle replaces Richie Riley, who was hired at Clemson recently. At UTC, he helped primarily with the guards, namely helping bring along then-freshman Greg Pryor and helping with the development of then-junior Ronrico White.

"It's a great opportunity for me, but it's going to be tough leaving the staff at UTC," Battle said Friday. "I've gotten close to the staff and the players, and I'm appreciative of everything Coach Wade did for me."

The Mocs host UAB on Dec. 22 at McKenzie Arena.

"The sky is the limit for the Mocs this year," Battle said. "They have quite a few new guys, but they have the most talent in the conference, and when it all clicks they have the chance to be really good."

Wade expects to look internally to fill Battle's position.

"Turner's been great," Wade said. "He's done a tremendous job for us, and other people have noticed. He's done a great job helping with the offense and some of the offensive sets.

"You want people that other people want," Wade added. "I want all coaches to have the chance to move up -- that's how I got my job. There were coaches that helped me grow in my profession, and that's what you want."

The Mocs have been in preseason workouts. They begin official practice in two weeks, and their first game will be at home on Nov. 14 against Hiwassee College at 5:30. That will be the first game of a doubleheader, as the UTC women will face Villanova.

Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.

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