The Norv Turner era needs to end. Now.
Yes, he has a 3-2 record in the playoffs as the head coach of the San Diego Chargers, including two victories over the Indianapolis Colts.
But with the same cast of characters that went 14-2 in 2006 under Marty Schottenheimer, the Chargers have been three games worse per season since he became the coach in 2007.
First he went 11-5, then 8-8, and anyone who has watched this year’s Chargers team is well aware that 5-11 isn’t impossible.
It’s not like the core he inherited was in its prime in 2006.
They should be in their prime now.
Philip Rivers, Luis Castillo, Shawne Merriman, Antonio Cromartie, Shaun Phillips, Nick Hardwick and Vincent Jackson were all within their first three years in the league in 2006.
All of them except for Jackson and Rivers have greatly regressed under Turner, often looking lifeless and confused.
This team should be improving every year, not taking huge steps back.
When an entire team’s discipline, toughness and skill diminish drastically under a new coach — that means the coach is bad.
Norv was a bad head coach before, and he is bad now. He needs to go.
Period.
