Turner takes over OCC men’s v-ball

Travis Turner, who played on state championship teams at Orange Coast College in 1989 and 1990, has been named men’s volleyball coach for the Pirates, the school announced Monday.

Turner, an assistant coach at UC Irvine from 1996 to 2000, becomes the third coach in the OCC program’s history. He replaces Chuck Cutenese, who resigned after 14 seasons to concentrate on coaching OCC’s women’s program.

Turner played for Bob Wetzel, who coached the Pirates their first 15 seasons.

“I’m excited to be back and I’m really looking forward to hopefully keeping the winning tradition of men’s volleyball going here at Coast,” Turner said in a statement.

OCC has won five state championships and 12 confrence titles.

Turner’s coaching career also includes guiding seven Balboa Bay Club boys’ teams to junior national championships, including 18-and-under titles in 1998 and 2000.

Considered a setting guru, he was also an assistant coach at Tustin High when the Tillers won the 1995 CIF Southern Section Division II championship.

“I feel the program is in good hands,” said Cutenese, 233-70 in his men’s coaching tenure. “I have worked with Travis for many years and I like what he stands for. I believe he has a good understanding of what coaching at the community college level is all about. He’ll do a great job.”

Turner said he plans to continue OCC’s tradition of success.

“Winning is expected here and it’s expected with me,” he said.

OCC was 12-10 in 2006.