 Leaving Castleford Turner became coach at Leeds between 1969 and 1972.He coached Leeds to victory in the Championship Final in 1972.Derek Turner was the coach in Leeds' 7-24 defeat by Leigh in the 1970–71 Challenge Cup Final during the 1970–71 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 15 May 1971, in front of a crowd of 85,514, and was the coach in the 13-16 defeat by St. Helens in the 1971–72 Challenge Cup Final during the 1971-72 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 13 May 1972, in front of a crowd of 89,495

Turner was Head Coach for Wakefield Trinity at Belle Vue from July 1983 until February 1984.