Norv Turner
Although the San Diego Chargers won’t make the playoffs for the first time in four seasons, it’s not enough to replace the head coach and general manager, as their jobs are now safe for at least another year.
Per the San Diego Union-Tribune, Chargers owner Dean Spanos confirmed that both coach Norv Turner and GM A.J. Smith will return to the team in their respective capacities in 2011.
San Diego might have looked far from a contender in 2010, but Spanos doesn’t care about the negative thoughts surrounding the team and likes what they’re doing from an organizational standpoint.
“I’ve learned the hard way,” Spanos said. “Your GM and coach have to be two individuals who work together. It’s very difficult for some teams; I’ve been through it. I like the working relationship at this level.
“We’re as disappointed as anyone. But I look to 1996 to 2003, when we couldn’t even get (beyond) 8-8. We’ve turned it around, to where we’re a good team and a good organization. There’s a lot of continuity, but we’re still short.
“The easiest thing in the world is to start over. Who the hell do I go hire? Blow the whole thing up? We’re a pretty good team but we have to make the right moves. We’ve fallen. It could have been our draft picks or our free-agent moves. But we have a good core, and I don’t care what anybody says. I’m not afraid to make changes. If I thought it was warranted, I would do it. We have a good foundation here.”
The Bolts have compiled a 40-23 regular season record under Turner, including playoff wins in 2007 and 2008. Last season, the Chargers won the AFC West division for the fourth straight season and finished with a 13-3 record, though their year came to an end at the hands of the New York Jets in the Divisional round of the playoffs. Many have criticized Turner’s coaching style and his lack of big-time wins, but no one can argue that he puts together a heck of an offense and that’s been evident for several years now.
Smith, who took over as the team’s general manager in 2003, has a nose for talent and has put together a very talented team, though his personality has rubbed a few people the wrong way. Known for his stubbornness, Smith has taken part in feuds over the years; the most recent being receiver Vincent Jackson and left tackle Marcus McNeill, who were engaged in nasty holdouts for most of this season.
With the nucleus of the team’s brain trust set to return, the Chargers will once again be a trendy pick to win it all in ’11. Whether that happens or not is obviously anyone’s guess at this point, but with a good coach and a smart GM, the possibility will always be there.
