Players of Missing High School Coach React to His Mysterious Disappearance

The Union High School football team is doing their best to push forward amid the sudden disappearance of their head coach, Travis Turner.

Turner, 46, was not present when Union defeated Graham High School, 12-0, to advance to the Virginia state regional finals on Saturday, November 22. 

“We talked in the huddle and we said, ‘Listen boys, we’re going to have to handle adversity here,’” senior running back Keith Chandler told WCYB at the game. “We stick together as brothers here and we should come out with the victory.”

Senior tight end and defensive end Carlos Anderson told the Bristol Herald-Courier, “I think we were going to play no matter what. We were ready for this game. We’ve been ready since summer and we just had to go out and execute.”

Union, who has an undefeated 12-0 record, advanced to the state regional final against Ridgeview High School on Saturday, November 29. 

Turner, who has coached at Union since 2011, went missing on Thursday, November 20, as agents from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation were on the way to his home. 

While they were en route, agents were made aware that Turner was no longer at the residence. 

Turner is wanted on five counts of possession of child pornography and five counts of using a computer to solicit a minor, the Virginia State Police revealed on Tuesday, November 25.

The football coach is now considered a “fugitive,” according to police. Additional charges are pending, and the case remains under investigation. 

“Police are actively searching for Turner,” state police said on Tuesday.

Wise County Public Schools, Turner’s employer, announced an unnamed staff member had been placed on administrative leave in a statement released on Friday, November 21. 

“At this time, a staff member has been placed on administrative leave with pay while an external agency reviews an allegation that was reported to us,” the statement read. “This is standard procedure and not a determination of wrongdoing. The division cannot comment further.”

Turner’s wife, Leslie Caudill Turner, addressed his disappearance in a since-deleted social media post. 

“I just wanted to get on here for a second to clear up something, as of right now, 10:25 PM on Friday night, Travis is missing, & that’s all we know,” Leslie wrote via Facebook. “We love him & need him here with us. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with love & support. It means more than you know. Just keep praying that he comes home.”

Just days before he went missing, Travis spoke about his football team after they defeated Lee High School 40-7 in the state regional quarterfinals. 

“I thought we did a good job adjusting to what they were trying to do offensively,” Travis told a local reporter. “I thought our kids adjusted. First time playing on a Saturday, it’s a different feel.”

Interim head coach Jay Edwards took over coaching duties in the semifinal victory and is expected to be on the sidelines when Union plays in the state regional finals on Saturday.