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DAYTON — Jim Turvene's coaching legacy lies less in the two state basketball titles he won than in the lessons he taught.

Turvene, who died early Tuesday, June 24, was not known as a players' coach during stints at Chaminade and West Carrollton. But his former players, many of whom visited him during the six months he was in Hospice of Dayton, would not have wanted it any other way.

When they stepped out of line, he was quick to dole out a harsh but fair punishment, they said. And if his team won by 20, Turvene would want better efforts next time.

"His discipline was very strong and expectations were very high," former Chaminade standout Dan Gerhard said.

"When you get older you think, 'Gosh, I'm glad he disciplined me.' The things he taught me helped an awful lot."

In 1970, Turvene had arguably the most talent ever assembled on an area high school team. Six players on that undefeated championship squad, including Gerhard, earned Division I athletic scholarships.

Gerhard, who went to Ohio State, said that team needed Turvene's leadership.

"I don't think anyone could have guided it as well as him," Gerhard said. "We didn't go out-shoot anyone, we out-fundamentaled everyone."

Turvene may have been the only person on the Chaminade sideline who wasn't worried when the Eagles trailed by 15 points in the fourth quarter of the 1966 state championship game against Toledo Libbey.

Nothing Turvene had previously tried seemed to work. By the start of that fateful final quarter, he reminded the players to lean on fundamentals.

Eight minutes later, the 26-1 Eagles hoisted a championship trophy, completing what remains the greatest fourth-quarter comeback in the history of the state championship game.

"He was level-headed," said Al Bertke, a starter on that '66 team who went on to play at the University of Dayton. "But fiery also. You could see the tiger in him. He just taught us so much."

Turvene demanded his players respect authority in the classroom, on the court and even on the side of a highway.

Driving from Dayton to Columbus for the '66 championship game, Turvene was pulled over. Bertke, who had been half-asleep in the passenger side seat, saw a police officer at the window.

"I'm thinking he wants an autograph," Bertke said, laughing. "And he did. He got it on the ticket. (Turvene) handled it well and it was the same way with the referees."

In the fall of 1973, Chaminade didn't offer Turvene a contract after merging with Julienne. Turvene was 168-54 with the Eagles, then 52-93 from 1978-85 at West Carrollton.

Contact this reporter at 225-0652 or modonnell@DaytonDailyNews.com.