Norv Turner
Coaching Record
| Years Coached | Record | Win % | Playoff record | Playoff win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 273-257-1 | 51.51% | 14-10 | 58.33% |
Coaching Tree
Parents:
Children:
Cam Cameron, Mike Martz, Mike Nolan, Chuck Pagano, Ron Rivera, Rob Chudzinski, Steve Wilks, Shane Steichen
Biography
Career Summary
Norv Turner was a football coach in the National Football League (NFL) from 1985 to 2019, finishing his career as the offensive coordinator/special assistant to the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. Over his thirty-four years of coaching his teams compiled a cumulative win/loss record of 277-265-1. During his career he was a head coach for fifteen seasons, first with the Washington Redskins. He led the Redskins for seven seasons, compiling a record of 50-61-1. He was fired from the Redskins on Monday, December 4, 2000. His next head coaching stint was with the Oakland Raiders from 2004 to 2005, as he led the team to a 9-23-0 record. He was fired from the Raiders on Tuesday, January 3, 2006. Turner had one year remaining on his initial contract with the Raiders, worth about $1.75 million. His third head coach placement began in 2007 with the San Diego Chargers. He coached them for six seasons and the team had a 56-40-0 record during his tenure. He was fired from the Chargers on Monday, December 31, 2012. Turner was fired by the Chargers after missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season. During his entire head coaching career, his three teams combined for a record of 115-124-1 across fifteen seasons including going 4-4-0 in the playoffs.
Career Awards
During the 1993 season as the offensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys he coached Emmitt Smith to the Most Valuable Player.
Norv Turner Coaching Tree
Before he was a head coach, Turner served as an assistant coach for John Robinson, Jimmy Johnson, Mike Riley, Dave Wannstedt, Mike Nolan, Rob Chudzinski, Mike Zimmer, and Ron Rivera. Six of these years were spent on Robinson's coaching staff. During his time as head coach, eight assistant coaches, (Cam Cameron, Mike Martz, Mike Nolan, Chuck Pagano, Ron Rivera, Rob Chudzinski, Steve Wilks, and Shane Steichen) on his coaching staff were hired as head coaches across the league. His coaching tree has combined for a record of 242-271-2 in the regular season and 9-12 in the playoffs during their thirty-four seasons as head coach after serving on his coaching staffs.
Personal Information
Turner was born on Saturday, May 17, 1952 in Onslow County, North Carolina.
Table of Contents
Playing Career
At Alhambra High School in Martinez California he played quarterback and safety until his graduation. After moving on to the University of Oregon he became the back-up quarterback for the future Hall of Fame quarterback for the San Diego Chargers, Dan Fouts.
Coaching Career
University of Oregon
In 1975 he became a graduate assistant coach for Oregon. He stayed for a single season before being hired on full time elsewhere.
University of Southern California
From 1976 through 1979 he coached wide receivers for USC; in 1980 he coached defensive backs; from 1981 through 1983 he was the quarterbacks coach and finally his last remaining year with USC he was appointed the offensive coordinator. The head coach for the Trojans at the time John Robinson has stated, “I could ask Norv about a problem and he could give me an answer for what was best for the team as opposed to what's best for his guys. I always thought he was different in that regard.”
Los Angeles Rams
He was hired on as the wide receivers coach for the Los Angeles Rams in 1985 when Robinson took over as head coach. In 1986 he was also put in charge of the tight ends of the team alongside his previous position. He worked as the wide receivers/tight ends coach up until 1990 for the Rams.
Dallas Cowboys
In 1991 Turner was hired by the Dallas Cowboys to be their offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach through 1993. During his time, the Cowboys won back to back Super Bowls in 1992 and 1993 respectively and shaped Troy Aikman into the Hall of Famer he is now. An example of his dramatic turnaround on offense is the team's total yards. Upon his takeover of the offense, he turned their offense from last in total yards (averaged at 225.1 per game) to ninth place with 318.8 yards per game.
Turner also coached Emmitt Smith during this time, winning the Super Bowl with the leading rusher (something no team had done at this point in time). Thanks to the excellent job he did as offensive coordinator, Michael Irvin never finished lower than 2nd in the NFL for receiving yards.
Washington Redskins
Washington Commanders decided to hire Turner in 1994 as their new head coach where he would remain until 2000. During his tenure with them the Redskins made the playoffs only a single time in 1999. He also coached Terry Allen who ranked #1 and #7 for running backs in his two healthy years playing for the team.
His last season with them, Turner had the most expensive roster in NFL history – and with it could only manage a 7-6 record. Due to this, he became the only NFL head coach to be fired mid-season with a winning record.
San Diego Chargers
Turner decided to take the job as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2001 where he remained for only a single season. The team went 5-11 for the season, improving from their 1-15 record from the previous season.
Miami Dolphins
After leaving the Chargers he began work as the offensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins in 2002 where he stayed for two seasons. During his time with the Dolphins, the team went 9-7-0 and the next season they finished up at 10-6-0.
Oakland Raiders
After firing Bill Callahan at the conclusion of the 2013 season, owner Al Davis hired Turner as the new head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders where he would remain for two seasons. During his time with them, the Raiders only won a single intra-division game. Because of his inability to turn the team around he was fired from the position in 2005.
San Francisco 49ers
In 2006 Turner was hired by the San Francisco 49ers as their offensive coordinator. During his year with them the team went 7-9 for NFC West. The team went 7-9 and placed third in the NFC West Division during his time with them.
Second-year quarterback Alex Smith took his 40.8 rating from the previous season and bumped it up to 74.8 after Turner was brought in to work with him. Smith’s first season had 14 turnovers and only one touchdown pass in the 9 games he played (with an injury). In contrast, the very next season, Turner started him in all 16 games and his touchdown to intercept was 1:1.
San Diego Chargers
After his stint with the 49ers Turner returned to the Chargers in 2007 where he would remain until 2012 as head coach. During his first year as head coach he took the previous season’s 14-2 team and lost his first three out of four games. After a three win streak with fans believing he was redeeming himself he lost to the then 2-5 Minnesota Vikings. During this season the team did not win a single game against a team with a winning record until their victory over the Indianapolis Colts. After a players only meeting, the team went on to win their second AFC West Division title in a row.
In 2008 he led the team to the Divisional Round game against the Pittsburgh Steelers (who went on to win the Super Bowl that year).
When 2009 rolled around the Chargers captured their third straight Division title under Turner and lost their first round AFC Playoffs game against the New York Jets.
Cleveland Browns
In 2013 Turner was hired as the offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns thanks to Rob Chudzinski, who was on Turner’s staff during his time with the Chargers. His son Scott was also hired to the Browns as the wide receivers coach, working with Josh Gordon who led the league 1,646 receiving yards.
Shortly after the firing of Chudzinski and being informed of a complete long-term rebuild, Turner left the Browns and headed elsewhere.
Minnesota Vikings
in 2014, he was hired by the Minnesota Vikings as their new offensive coordinator where he is set to remain through the 2015 season. The Vikings had also picked his son up as their new quarterbacks coach, keeping the father-son duo together for another year. The team went 7-9 for the season, improving on their previous season’s record of 5-10-1.
History
| Year | Position | Record | Playoff record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Carolina Panthers | Special Assistant to the Head Coach | 0-4-0 | 0-0 |
| 2019 Carolina Panthers | Offensive Coordinator | 5-7-0 | 0-0 |
| 2018 Carolina Panthers | Offensive Coordinator | 7-9-0 | 0-0 |
| 2016 Minnesota Vikings | Offensive Coordinator | 5-2-0 | 0-0 |
| 2015 Minnesota Vikings | Offensive Coordinator | 11-5-0 | 0-1 |
| 2014 Minnesota Vikings | Offensive Coordinator | 7-9-0 | 0-0 |
| 2013 Cleveland Browns | Offensive Coordinator | 4-12-0 | 0-0 |
| 2012 San Diego Chargers | Head Coach | 7-9-0 | 0-0 |
| 2011 San Diego Chargers | Head Coach | 8-8-0 | 0-0 |
| 2010 San Diego Chargers | Head Coach | 9-7-0 | 0-0 |
| 2009 San Diego Chargers | Head Coach | 13-3-0 | 0-1 |
| 2008 San Diego Chargers | Head Coach | 8-8-0 | 1-1 |
| 2007 San Diego Chargers | Head Coach | 11-5-0 | 2-1 |
| 2006 San Francisco 49ers | Offensive Coordinator | 7-9-0 | 0-0 |
| 2005 Oakland Raiders | Head Coach | 4-12-0 | 0-0 |
| 2004 Oakland Raiders | Head Coach | 5-11-0 | 0-0 |
| 2003 Miami Dolphins | Assistant Head Coach / Offensive Coordinator | 10-6-0 | 0-0 |
| 2002 Miami Dolphins | Assistant Head Coach / Offensive Coordinator | 9-7-0 | 0-0 |
| 2001 San Diego Chargers | Offensive Coordinator | 5-11-0 | 0-0 |
| 2000 Washington Redskins | Head Coach | 7-6-0 | 0-0 |
| 1999 Washington Redskins | Head Coach | 10-6-0 | 1-1 |
| 1998 Washington Redskins | Head Coach | 6-10-0 | 0-0 |
| 1997 Washington Redskins | Head Coach | 8-7-1 | 0-0 |
| 1996 Washington Redskins | Head Coach | 9-7-0 | 0-0 |
| 1995 Washington Redskins | Head Coach | 6-10-0 | 0-0 |
| 1994 Washington Redskins | Head Coach | 3-13-0 | 0-0 |
| 1993 Dallas Cowboys | Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach | 12-4-0 | 3-0 |
| 1992 Dallas Cowboys | Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach | 13-3-0 | 3-0 |
| 1991 Dallas Cowboys | Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks Coach | 11-5-0 | 1-1 |
| 1990 Los Angeles Rams | Wide Receivers Coach / Tight Ends Coach | 5-11-0 | 0-0 |
| 1989 Los Angeles Rams | Wide Receivers Coach / Tight Ends Coach | 11-5-0 | 2-1 |
| 1988 Los Angeles Rams | Wide Receivers Coach / Tight Ends Coach | 10-6-0 | 0-1 |
| 1987 Los Angeles Rams | Wide Receivers Coach / Tight Ends Coach | 6-9-0 | 0-0 |
| 1986 Los Angeles Rams | Wide Receivers Coach | 10-6-0 | 0-1 |
| 1985 Los Angeles Rams | Wide Receivers Coach | 11-5-0 | 1-1 |
| 1984 USC Trojans | Offensive Coordinator | 9-3-0 | |
| 1983 USC Trojans | Quarterbacks Coach | 4-6-1 | |
| 1982 USC Trojans | Quarterbacks Coach | 8-3-0 | |
| 1981 USC Trojans | Quarterbacks Coach | 9-3-0 | |
| 1980 USC Trojans | Defensive Backs Coach | 8-2-1 | |
| 1979 USC Trojans | Wide Receivers Coach | 11-0-1 | |
| 1978 USC Trojans | Wide Receivers Coach | 12-1-0 | |
| 1977 USC Trojans | Wide Receivers Coach | 8-4-0 | |
| 1976 USC Trojans | Wide Receivers Coach | 11-1-0 | |
| 1975 Oregon Ducks | Graduate Assistant | 3-8-0 |
Coach history guide
| Seasons with a championship win | Seasons with a conference championship |
Coach facts
- Years as head coach: 15
- Years as a coordinator: 13
- Championships won: 1992 and 1993
- Conference Championships won: 1992 and 1993
- Third in total wins for the Los Angeles Chargers.
- Fourth in total wins for the Washington Commanders.
- Fourth in winning percentage for the Los Angeles Chargers.
- Fifth in winning percentage for the Washington Commanders.
- Most playoff wins in Los Angeles Chargers history (3)
- Past teams coached for: Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams
- Family Members: Scott Turner, Son and Ron Turner, Brother
- Date of Birth: Saturday, May 17, 1952 (72 years old), Onslow County, North Carolina