Turner charges into new season
When the San Diego Chargers searched for a new coach after firing Marty Schottenheimer last winter, they had three chances to align themselves with the 1985 Bears, which most Chicagoans recognize as the greatest team in NFL history, if not the universe.
The Chargers interviewed Mike Singletary and Ron Rivera, both of whom played for the Bears' Super Bowl champs, and Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, son of Bears defensive mastermind Buddy Ryan, among others.
Ultimately, though, Chargers general manager A.J. Smith settled on Norv Turner, who carries a 58-82-1 record as an NFL head coach from nine seasons in Washington and Oakland. A proven winner Turner is not as he takes his Chargers into Sunday's season opener against the Bears in San Diego.
"He never coached the Chargers before," Smith has said defiantly.
So while San Diego returns its star-studded lineup virtually intact from last year's 14-2 team, the Chargers have had to adjust not only to a new head coach but two new coordinators.
"It's been good for us," running back LaDainian Tomlinson said of the coaching changes. "Even though we've changed head coaches and coordinators, the system has stayed the same.
"Personality-wise, it's a little more laid-back and guys, I think, are a little more confident in themselves, because Norv has a way of making you feel confident. Not that Marty didn't, but it seems like Norv goes the extra mile to make sure guys are confident, relaxed and ready to play."
Last year's Chargers coordinators left for head-coaching jobs -- Wade Phillips in Dallas and Cam Cameron in Miami.
The replacement on defense is Ted Cottrell, whose last coaching job was Minnesota's defensive coordinator in 2005. Clarence Shelmon was promoted to offensive coordinator, though Turner plans to call the plays. The Chargers hired Rivera as inside linebackers coach.
Critics of Turner in Washington and Oakland suggested the coach wasn't authoritative and his teams lacked discipline. Sometimes NFL coaches learn from their mistakes. Bill Belichick had a losing record in Cleveland before winning three Super Bowls with New England. Turner's greatest team success came during a 1991-93 run as Dallas' offensive coordinator.
"He's been around Troy Aikman. So I would imagine if he coached Troy Aikman, what is he telling (Chargers QB) Philip (Rivers)? There's some credibility there," tight end Antonio Gates said.
Chargers owner Dean Spanos admitted that Schottenheimer and Smith had a dysfunctional relationship. Still, it appeared San Diego would not change coaches, even after a crushing 24-21 loss to New England in the second round of the AFC playoffs. But then the Chargers' brain trust butted heads again when Schottenheimer wanted to hire his brother Kurt to run the defense.
"Maybe an anomaly for us to go 14-2 not having a general manager and coach necessarily agreeing on how to do that," Spanos said in the North County (Calif.) Times. "I'd take 8-8 and win that first (playoff) game. That's better than 14-2 and out."
Turner, meanwhile, made it clear this week during a teleconference with Chicago reporters that he's tired of rationalizing his coaching history.
"This group of guys is as motivated a group as I've been around," Turner said. "If we go on to get done the things we want to get done, they deserve the credit."