Les Turner wrestled at Clearfield High School under one of the greatest high school wrestling coaches ever, Art Weiss.

Turner then went to Lock Haven State Teachers College and wrestled for legendary coach Herb Jack. Les and the University of Pittsburgh Ed Peery, a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, wrestled one of the most entertaining and highly competitive matches in the East.

Turner started his coaching career as an assistant at Shamokin High School under Hall of Fame coach Mal Paul before moving on to Moshannon Valley where he gave solid direction to a fledgling program. One of his wrestlers was Tom Elling, a Lifetime Service to Wrestling award recipient and member of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's board.

After a few years at Moshannon Valley, Turner went to Brookville and established one of the top AA programs in the state. He coached his son Thad to a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association runner-up finish and Chuck Yale became Brookville's first state champion under Turner's guidance.

Turner served as an officer under the District 9 Coaches Association and was a member of the school board at Brookville.

He is also a member of the Clearfield County Sports Hall of Fame and the Lock Haven University Wrestling Hall of Fame.