Norv Turner is Chargers head coach

February 19, 2007 | Category: blog

norv turner All I can say is WTF???

SAN DIEGO (Feb. 19, 2007) — Norv Turner got his third shot at an NFL head coaching job when he was hired Monday by the San Diego Chargers, a week after the surprise firing of Marty Schottenheimer.

The hiring came less than 24 hours after the Chargers wrapped up their interviews. The team planned to introduce Turner at an afternoon news conference.

Turner, the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator, was the only one of the six candidates who’s been an NFL head coach, and the only one who didn’t work on the defensive side of the ball.

He inherits a team that was an NFL-best 14-2 last season but melted down in its playoff opener, a 24-21 loss to the New England Patriots.

Turner had trouble winning in the regular season, going 58-82-1 in head coaching stints with Washington and Oakland. Schottenheimer had trouble winning in the postseason, going 5-13 overall and 0-2 with the Chargers.

Turner was fired by the Raiders in 2005 after going 9-23 in two seasons

Last Monday, the Chargers again surprised the NFL when president Dean Spanos fired Schottenheimer, citing a “dysfunctional situation between the coach and general manager A.J. Smith.

Turner was San Diego’s offensive coordinator in 2001, LaDainian Tomlinson’s rookie year. Plus, he’ll be able to help with the continued development of quarterback Philip Rivers, who was voted to the Pro Bowl but saw his play tail off down the stretch. Tomlinson was the league’s MVP after setting NFL records with 31 touchdowns and 186 points.

Turner was the original mastermind behind the Dallas offenses led by Hall of Famers Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin and NFL career rushing leader Emmitt Smith, winning two Super Bowl titles in three seasons as Dallas’ offense coordinator.

He had been the apparent front-runner to replace Bill Parcells in Dallas earlier this month before that job went to Wade Phillips.

Turner wasn’t specific about the reasons he didn’t end up in Dallas, but it’s widely assumed Turner wanted more control than owner Jerry Jones was willing to give - control Turner never had in Washington or Oakland.

It’s up for debate whether he’ll get it with the Chargers, since Schottenheimer lost his power struggle with Smith.

He was 49-59-1 with one trip to the playoffs with the Redskins. He was fired with three games left in the 2000 season, when he could produce only a 7-6 record with a $100 million roster.

source

6 Comments

  1. Nick on February 19th, 2007
    1

    HA, HAHAHAHAHAH, HAHAHAHA. The Chargers screwed the pooch on this one. Mediocrity here we come.

  2. Milton island on February 19th, 2007
    2

    Has the charger org lost what little since they have. I was a on the fence fan but i would not buy a ticket to see Turner screw up a good team like the chargers. Chagers might go 2-14 this year with Norv the bum coach of the century.

  3. Juan on February 19th, 2007
    3

    as bad as this seems who is better out there? There was no other guy that stood out. Although questionable its not that ridiculous. I dont think anyone can screw this team up. AJ Smith is the man

  4. K on February 19th, 2007
    4

    its ok…we have cottrell and ron rivera!….remember turner knows the chargers offense well, he taught cam cameron

  5. Charlie Self on February 20th, 2007
    5

    I can’t recall what record he had with the Redskins, but this is Redskin country and I thought some of the local rednecks were collecting enough beer and rope to head to DC for a lynching. And now,SD jumps in his basket with a four year contract.

    K: no one has ever disputed Turner’s skill as an offense coach. He has not proved out as a head coach in two previous tries. Is this three strikes and you’re out?

  6. crisparsal85 on February 21st, 2007
    6

    After I got over the fact they fired Marty to begin with, I think this was the best option to go with.

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