Report: Chargers to fire Norv Turner, A.J. Smith after season

[madinmaryland]

Now there's a surprise.

The Chargers plan to fire head coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith at the end of the season, according to sources in a report from Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Sources said this week that Chargers President Dean Spanos essentially decided at least a month ago that Turner’s time was drawing to a rapid close. Spanos, sources said, has more recently resigned himself to the fact that Smith can’t be kept in the current environment of plummeting performance and fan unrest.

Spanos is waiting until after the season, more because that is his preferred time to make such moves than due to any faith in the Chargers’ microscopic playoff chances.

Jon Gruden, Chip Kelly, Mike Holmgren, Andy Reid and David Shaw are expected to be considered to coach the Chargers.

The report taps Director of Player Personnel Jimmy Raye as Smith’s replacement. Raye, a 17-year employee of the Chargers, will add the owner’s son, John Spanos, as his right-hand man.

http://tracking.si.com/2012/12/06/chargers-fire-norv-turner-aj-smith/?sct=hp_t2_a2&eref=sihp

[joeybee12]

1. Do it now...stupid not to, just like it was stupid of America's Team

to wait to fire Valentine after the season.

[madinmaryland]

2. I don't ever remember anyone named "Valentine" coaching the Dallas Cowboys. I don't

think they have ever had a "Valentine" play for them.

They did get rid of Wade Phillips in the middle of a season a couple years back.

[El Supremo]

3. He was with the real America's Team in Arlington.

[madinmaryland]

4. Huh? This team...

[Auggie]

5. Let him finish

Only thing San Diego has going for them will be continuity. Maybe they get lucky and play the role of spoiler.

[El Supremo]

6. Surely you jest!

Hey, do the people of Los Angeles drive to see the Chargers at home or the Raiders?

[Yavin4]

7. The San Diego Chargers of the 2000s -- Greatest Waste of NFL Talent

A team of:

LaDainian Tomlinson
Antonio Gates
Darren Sproles
Michael Turner
Philip Rivers
Antonio Cromartie
Vincent Jackson
Shaun Merriman

Should have won multiple Superbowls.

[madinmaryland]

8. As a Redskin's fan you understand the power of the Norv Turner. At least

Jerrah never made that mistake (head coach, that is).

[Yavin4]

9. You Don't Want to Give Jerrah Any Ideas

Norv will be available.

[madinmaryland]

10. Been there, done that!!! We got two Super Bowl championships with Norv as our

offensive coach! Jerrah never made any moves to get him back after Norv left to be a head coach.

[fishwax]

11. Some great names on that list. Makes one wonder why they didn't hire a good coach in the 1st place.

If you're going to fire a coach like Schottenheimer because of struggles in the playoffs, why not hire a guy whose playoff record is a little better than going 1-1 in a single playoff appearance over nine years as a head coach. I'll never understand that decision.

As many others (including someone upthread) have said--great waste of talent in the Chargers over the last ten years. As a Broncos fan, I guess I'm glad they've waited until that assemblage of talent is crumbling to bring in a top coach.

Then again, maybe Spanos will just hire Mangini.