Norv Turner could have had his pick of jobs running an NFL offense, but he had his family in mind when he accepted an offer Monday to be the offensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.
The former Raiders coach is expected to be introduced later this week as coach Mike Nolan's replacement for Mike McCarthy, who left the 49ers to succeed Mike Sherman as coach of the Packers ..
Turner, who grew up in nearby Martinez, Calif., promised his son that he wouldn't leave the Bay area while he was still in high school. By joining the 49ers, Turner can remain in the house he built and keep the family there.
The 49ers hired one of the league's best play-callers in the 53-year-old Turner, who was fired Jan. 3 after consecutive losing seasons in Oakland. He had a year remaining on his contract. Turner also coached the Redskins for nearly seven years.
"I imagine based on readings I'm getting and the feeling I'm getting, there's people interested in me being an offensive coordinator again, so I'll look into that," Turner told the media upon his firing. "I wouldn't rule anything out, but I do know I want to coach."
Turner's career is highlighted by his work as the Dallas Cowboys' offensive coordinator during two Super Bowl-winning seasons.
Nolan was Turner's defensive coordinator in Washington from 1997-99, and he put his former boss high on his list of candidates for McCarthy's replacement last week.
Turner went 49-59-1 with just one playoff berth in Washington before getting fired with three games left in the 2000 season. He took over the Raiders in January 2004 but won just nine games, leading to his dismissal by owner Al Davis.
Turner will take over for McCarthy, who presided over one of the worst offensive seasons in NFL history in Nolan's first year in San Francisco. The Niners (4-12) managed just 3,587 total yards -- the fewest in the league, the franchise's lowest total since 1963 and the fifth-fewest since the NFL began playing 16-game schedules in 1978.
With a talent-thin roster and four starting quarterbacks, including No. 1 draft pick Alex Smith, the Niners averaged fewer than 15 points. Smith didn't throw his first touchdown pass until the season finale -- after 11 interceptions and seven starts. San Francisco finished with franchise lows in offensive touchdowns (17), first downs (191) and yards passing (1,898).
Information from ESPN.com senior NFL writer John Clayton and The Associated Press was used in this report.
After every game, every play & every highlight, I'll always remember #21. RIP Sean.
"I imagine based on readings I'm getting and the feeling I'm getting, there's people interested in me being an offensive coordinator again, so I'll look into that," Turner told the media upon his firing. "I wouldn't rule anything out, but I do know I want to coach."
Now, who on earth would be crazy enough to hire this guy as anythin other than an OC EVER AGAIN in his life?????!!!! I'm all for second and third chances, but, he's proven he's not a coach. Period.
LOL - still on painkillers and probably should start reading the WHOLE article..LOL Sorry about that..you can delete me if you want...I'll just go away for now.
Hip Hip Hooray!!!
H.T.T.R.
Terri
Joe Gibbs: Terri has a very good eye for talent.
Nolan was Turner's defensive coordinator in Washington from 1997-99, but Redskins owner Dan Snyder essentially forced Nolan to resign when his contract ran out. Both coaches believe their mutual respect will smooth this transition in their relationship.
"I had some bad years at Washington, and it makes you step back and re-evaluate what's important to you," Nolan said. "(Washington) was a difficult situation. ... We tried to make it work, but there was always this outside force making it hard to make it work."
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I'll say this much. At that time (1999), I would have been right behind Nolan if he had said this then.
This was the time of the pre-educated Snyder.
But this ain't then, it's 2006 and that boat left the dock a long time ago.
How do you force someone to resign when their contract runs out?
If their contract is up, do they need to quit?
RIP 21
"Nah, I trust the laws of nature to stay constant. I don't pray that the sun will rise tomorrow, and I don't need to pray that someone will beat the Cowboys in the playoffs." - Irn-Bru
Scooped in the SAME thread.
