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How close did Buffalo come to losing Turner Battle? We may never know but there was a lot of chatter from the Buffalo News Yesterday.
Battle Leaving UB? - Campus Watch - The Buffalo News
Sources say that Battle has had discussions with UNC-Greensboro coach Wes Miller about becoming an assistant with the Spartans. Miller last month signed a five-year deal with the school, and Battle hails from Kernersville, N.C., about 20 minutes away.
Then later in the day Battle contacted the news to clarify the situation:
Battle Staying Put - Campus Watch - The Buffalo News
UB assistant basketball coach Turner Battle just got back to me to make it known he's not taking the job at UNC-Greensboro.
Battle first came to UB since as a player recruited by Reggie Witherspoon. He was a fan favorite as a player, and has maintained that status as a coach. Losing him would have been a big hit for the program.
Battle signed with the bulls way back on November 10, 2000. Bob Gibbons had Battle rated as one of the top 100 prospects in the Class of 2001 and considered UB's acquisition of Battle one of the best steals of that season.
After his senior year, Battle was honored as the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, the first such award for a Buffalo player. Battle also landed on the All-MAC First Team for the first time in his career
Battle had a brief professional career in France, and then in a couple of professional leagues in the the United States.
Battle began his coaching career an assistant coach at Sweet Home High School in 2006. Then, in 2007, he was named assistant coach by Reggie Witherspoon.