Norv Turner

Lore & Background

Turner was hired as head coach of the San Diego Chargers on February 19, 2007, taking over a team that had gone 14–2 in the 2006 regular season under Marty Schottenheimer. He led the Chargers to their first playoff victory since 1994 in the 2007 season, and the team won three straight AFC West division titles under his leadership (2007, 2008, 2009).

In Their Own Story

The stadium lights hummed over Qualcomm Stadium during the 2009 playoffs. Turner stood on the sideline, headset pressed tight against his ear, watching Rivers operate the no-huddle machine he had perfected. Every snap was a calculated risk, every route designed to stretch defenses vertically. As the clock wound down in that Wild Card matchup, the intensity of the offensive scheme was palpable—a testament to years of building a passing game that refused to be contained.

Reader's Guide

Turner's tenure with the Chargers began with a slow start in 2007, losing three of his first four games, but the team rallied to win six straight regular season games and clinch the AFC West. In 2008, the Chargers started 4–8 but won their final four games to win the division. In 2009, they won nine straight games and finished 13–3, claiming the second seed in the AFC playoffs.

Did You Know?

• Turner led the Chargers to their first playoff win since 1994 with a victory over the Tennessee Titans in the 2007 season.
• In 2008, the Chargers overcame a 4–8 start to win the AFC West by winning their final four games.
• The 2009 Chargers won 11 consecutive regular season games, falling just short of the franchise record of 12 straight wins.