Western Carolina University

Trent Turknett joined the Catamount football staff in the spring of 2021 after a season at Tusculum University where he served as the tight ends coach and the director of football operations. With the Catamounts, Turknett assumes the role as the director of player personnel.
 
Turknett was a part of the Pioneers’ offensive unit that led the South Atlantic Conference (SAC) in scoring (53.5 ppg) and yards per game (603.5 yds/gm) in earning the 2021 spring conference championship. His tight ends accounted for 17 receptions and 247 receiving yards in the five-game season in 2021. During his time on staff, he also aided the assistant line coach with weekly run game plans.
 
Prior to making the move to Tusculum, Turknett was the video coordinator and director of player personnel at Murray State University in Murray, Ky., during the 2019 season. Supervising a staff of three, he was in charge of the video staff and oversaw the program’s multimedia department which included graphics for social media, a crucial part of the recruiting process. As the director for player personnel at Murray State, Turknett was the liaison between the student-athletes, professors, coaches, and administration.
 
Turknett earned his start at the intercollegiate level while pursuing a graduate degree at Valdosta State. As a graduate assistant from August 2017 through May 2019, he worked with the offensive line as a part of the 2018 NCAA Division II national championship squad that posted a perfect 14-0 record and led the nation in scoring while accounting for one of the most balanced offensive attacks in collegiate football. He was also the program’s on-campus recruiting coordinator.
 
His professional experience also includes the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) as he worked with eligibility and compliance, as well as athletic services. He also worked with ProAthlete.TV assisting with all aspects of video with high-profile athletes and companies.
 
Originally from Fleming Island, Fla., Turknett is a 2016 graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in sport management and a minor in business. He earned his Master’s in public administration from Valdosta State in May 2019.