Richard Turner has decades of experience with Little Rock athletics, beginning with his time as a student-athlete for the Trojan water polo and swimming teams in the 1970s. As a Trojan student-athlete, Turner earned two school records as an individual while also picking up four more as part of relay teams.
 
Turner became the head coach of the Trojan men's water polo team in 1982 and also began coaching swimming and diving in 1983. He coached three women's swimming All-Americans and two water polo All-Americans in his 24 years as the Trojans' leader while also helping the water polo team to seven NCAA regionals.
 
Turner retired from coaching following the 2006-07 season to work full-time in his current role with the Trojans as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Student Support. Turner was inducted in the Arkansas Swimming Hall of Fame in 1994.