Chargers name Norv Turner coach
SAN DIEGO (TICKER) —Norv Turner was not the choice to succeed Bill Parcells in Dallas. But he is the choice to replace Marty Schottenheimer.
The San Diego Chargers on Monday named Turner as their coach.
Since firing Schottenheimer last Monday, the Chargers interviewed six candidates - Turner, defensive coordinators Ron Rivera, Rex Ryan, Gary Gibbs, Mike Zimmer and linebackers coach Mike Singletary - for the coaching job.
“I outlined the plans I had to put this together so we could hit the ground running,” Turner said. “I think we’ll do that here.”
Turner was the only one of the candidates with offensive expertise and he inherits a team that ranked first in the NFL in scoring with 492 points (30.8 per game). He also has familiarity with the team. Turner was the offensive coordinator of the Chargers in 2001 when LaDainian Tomlinson was a rookie.
“I’ve known Norv for 10 years and he coached here for us in 2001 so I think I know what makes him tick,” Chargers president Dean Spanos said. “I consider him to be one of the best offensive minds in the NFL.”
Tomlinson set a single-season record with 31 touchdowns and won the rushing title with 1,815 yards this past season as San Diego finished with the NFL’s best record at 14-2. However, the Chargers lost in the divisional playoffs to fourth-seeded New England, 24-21.
“I am very excited to work with Norv,” Tomlinson said. “We have a great relationship. Norv is a perfect fit for our team. He will know exactly what to do with our team.”
Turner was the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator this past season and served as a tutor for quarterback Alex Smith, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft.
Turner was a finalist for the Cowboys’ job after Parcells retired last month, but owner Jerry Jones decided to hire former Chargers defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. Turner was the offensive coordinator under coach Jimmy Johnson when the Cowboys won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1992-93.
The departure of Phillips led to the firing of Schottenheimer, who wanted to hire his younger brother Kurt Schottenheimer to replace Phillips. That did not sit well with Chargers general manager A.J. Smith, who already had a contentious relationship with Marty Schottenheimer.
The Chargers had already lost offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, who left to become coach of the Miami Dolphins in January.
Turner had a big say in the Chargers naming Ted Cottrell as their new defensive coordinator on Monday.
“I wanted to stay with the same 3-4 base defense they were running here and Ted is familiar with it after working with Wade Phillips,” Turner said. “Ted’s experience and success with the 3-4 will help us maintain continuity on that side of the ball and grow and get better.”
Turner did not have much success in his last coaching job with an AFC West team, compiling a 9-23 record in two seasons with the Oakland Raiders before being fired in January 2006. Included in that record was a 1-11 mark against division opponents.
Turner previously coached the Washington Redskins from 1994-2000, guiding the team to the playoffs in 1999. He compiled a record of 51-62-1 with Washington before getting fired.
