Turner Battle, who led the Bulls to their first modern post-season basketball tournament and was the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year his senior season, enters his sixth season as an assistant coach on Witherspoon’s staff. He joined the staff in 2007 after his career in the Blue and White ended in 2005.

Battle, who was an Associated Press All-American as well as an ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American his senior season, scored 1,414 points (fifth all-time in UB history) and ranks sixth in Bulls’ history in three-point field goals made (126), fourth in free throws made (306), third in assists (458) and fourth in steals (170). He is credited with changing the face of Buffalo basketball with his leadership both on and off the court. He was inducted into the UB Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010. 

With a focus on developing the Buffalo guards, Battle has helped to produce not only solid producers on the court, but also some of the finest leaders that fans of UB basketball have ever seen. From national assist-to-turnover leader and All-District honoree John Boyer in 2009-10, All-MAC team member Byron Mulkey in 2010-11, to Jarod Oldham’s modern-era record of 183 assists in 2011-12, the Bulls can always count on finding tremendous leadership from its floor general. 

Battle’s coaching career started at Sweet Home High School – coach Witherspoon’s alma mater. While at the helm, Sweet Home won the sectional title in a huge upset over perennial power Niagara Falls.

He and his wife, Clare, were married in August.