Keena Turner is in his 28th season in the front office of the 49ers and his seventh as vice president & senior advisor to the general manager.
For more than three decades, Turner has been a part of the 49ers as both a player and member of the team's front office. He has spent the previous 10 seasons (2008-17) as the vice president of football affairs. Turner has held several roles throughout his career including director of alumni coordinators (2006-07), an alumni coordinator (2004-05) and player development director (2001-03). He also worked in the player relations department (1998-2001) and the player and community relations department (1991).
Prior to joining the 49ers, Turner spent three seasons (1992-94) as the linebackers coach at Stanford University under head coach Bill Walsh. Upon leaving Stanford, Turner embarked on his radio and television career, while also working in community relations for DeBartolo Entertainment. He went on to serve as a color analyst for 49ers preseason games for 15 years (1995-2009) and was a co-host for the 49ers Preview Show. He also was the radio/TV color analyst for the San Jose SaberCats (IFL) for 15 seasons.
Originally selected in the second round (39th overall) in the 1980 NFL Draft by San Francisco, Turner played in 153 games (118 starts) with the 49ers over 11 seasons (1980-90). A member of the 49ers 10-year Club, Turner was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1985 and is a four-time Super Bowl champion (XVI, XIX, XXIII and XXIV).
Following his playing career, Turner was inducted into the Purdue University Intercollegiate Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame Northern California in 2012. In 2019, he was also inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame.
Turner's dedication to excellence has not been limited to the playing field. He has been a constant supporter of Family House in San Francisco for over 30 years and he created, implemented and judged a student essay contest for the Tracy Middle School system emphasizing the importance of academics. Turner has also hosted The Keena Turner Boys and Girls Clubs Golf Tournament for each of the last 26 years and the event has raised over $5 million.
Turner and his wife, Linda, have three children – Sheena, Ella and Miles.