[WAREWOLFE94]

Chargers | Turner hired as new head coach
Mon, 19 Feb 2007 08:12:02 -0800

Jay Glazer, of FOXSports.com, reports the San Diego Chargers have hired Norv Turner as their new head coach. Terms of the deal were undisclosed. Turner had been serving as the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.

[azrael492]

Could somebody please tell me why he is such a hot commodity??

[Lefty Noob]

Wow, interesting... I just got done reading about how they interviewed Gary Gibbs yesterday, and now -- BANG! -- Turner's the guy, eh? Assuming this is true, this is a very interesting hire. I personally don't believe Norv's half the coach Marty Schottenheimer was. Does anyone here see the team actually improving with Turner at the helm?

[WAREWOLFE94]

See Turner as a better offensive coordinator than a head coach.Norv's taking over a dang good team...would'nt want to work under A.J Smith though.

[EmpireWF]

His head coaching record is awful. Can he improve it with San Diego? I don't know. But he is a good offensive mind and should help Rivers come along.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

His head coaching record is awful. Can he improve it with San Diego? I don't know. But he is a good offensive mind and should help Rivers come along.

Head Coaching records tend to improve behind a Hall of Fame running back...

[Notorious C.L.E.]

I don't think they'll match their 14-2 record of last year, but I don't think hiring Norv Turner makes them miss the playoffs. For the record, I think Turner is best suited as an offensive coordinator, but I would think he will be better in San Diego than he was in Oakland. Now, all the weapons are there for him to use. In Oakland, he was charged with rebuilding. He built the offense San Diego has used for the past five years in 2001 when he was the coordinator. Do I think he is the man to lead them to the Promised Land? I would lean towards the no side of things, which is a shame, because this team is built to win now.

I understand the thought process of hiring Turner. He is considered to be elite at developing quarterback talent, and it is evidenced by what he was doing in San Francisco with Alex Smith. If Turner can help mold Phillip Rivers into a franchise quarterback, then that offense is beyond deadly if they acquire even a fringe number one receiver. Ergo, hire Turner and bring in a defensive mind to take care of that side of the ball.

And that brings up the AJ Smith Factor. Norv Turner has a poor track record as a head coach and pretty much has to accept any job he is giving. Thus, he has zero room or leverage to negotiate. And bringing in an offensive-minded guy like Turner allows Smith to grab his guy in Ted Cotrell at defensive coordinator, who he wanted all along.

Bottom-line: Who has succeeded recently under Al Davis and Dan Snyder? At least the offense in 2005 was functional for Oakland, compared to this year.