Les wrestled at Clearfield High under one of the greatest high school wrestling coaches ever, Art Weiss. He then went to Lock Haven State Teachers College and wrestled for legendary coach Herb Jack. Les and Pitt's Ed Peery 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 Famer Coach Mal Paul before moving on to Moshannon Valley where he gave solid direction to a fledgling program. One of his wrestlers was Board Member and Hall of Famer, Tom Elling. After a few years at Moshannon Valley, Les went to Brookville and established one of the top AA programs in the state. He coached his son Thad to a PIAA runner-up finish and Chuck Yale became Brookville's first state champion under Turner's guidance. Les served as an officer under the District 9 Coaches' Association and was a member of the school board at Brookville. He was inducted into the Clearfield County Sports Hall of Fame and the Lock Haven University Wrestling Hall of Fame.