Updated: Jan. 3, 2006, 6:14 PM ET
Raiders' Turner becomes latest NFL coach fired
Associated Press
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ALAMEDA, Calif. -- The Oakland Raiders fired coach Norv Turner on Tuesday following consecutive losing seasons in which the team managed only one victory in its division.
The 53-year-old Turner, who had a year remaining on his contract worth about $1.75 million, had known his job was in jeopardy for the last two months after struggling to get the most out of star receiver Randy Moss and an offense that also included quarterback Kerry Collins, receiver Jerry Porter and running back LaMont Jordan.
Oakland lost its final six games and eight of nine to finish 4-12 and with one fewer victory than Turner produced in his first season a year ago. The Raiders have strung together three straight losing seasons for the first time since Al Davis came aboard in 1963 to coach and eventually own the team.
"I wanted to be here and appreciate the opportunity," Turner said in a statement. "I understand the nature of this business. I wish nothing but the best for the Raider organization."
Turner grew up in nearby Martinez rooting for the Raiders. Turner's firing leaves eight coaching vacancies in the NFL.
Detroit fired Steve Mariucci in November and Kansas City's Dick Vermeil retired on Sunday. Other coaches who have been fired include St. Louis' Mike Martz, New Orleans' Jim Haslett, Minnesota's Mike Tice, Green Bay's Mike Sherman and Houston's Dom Capers.
Davis is suddenly left looking for his third head coach in five years. He ousted Bill Callahan following the 2003 season, a year removed from the Raiders' 48-21 Super Bowl loss to Tampa Bay. Turner was not necessarily Davis' top choice to replace Callahan. Dallas offensive coordinator Sean Payton told people he thought the job was his, but things didn't work out and he stayed with the Cowboys.
Turner had the support of many of his players, some of whom insisted they should get the blame for the team's failures -- not Turner.
"I think he did what he could," linebacker Danny Clark said. "Ultimately, everybody involved didn't get it done. Unfortunately, this is a production-based business and if you're not winning the weight falls on someone."
The Raiders made major strides defensively this season and thought they would have one of the best offenses in the league with the addition of Moss to a receiving corps that already included Porter and Jordan.
Turner, who has a reputation as a talented offensive coach, was hired as the organization's 14th head coach in January 2004 to invigorate a franchise that flopped after losing the Super Bowl.
There were big expectations for Turner to produce an immediate turnaround, but it didn't happen. Oakland's ineffective offense managed only 51 points and six touchdowns in its last five games and the Raiders failed to win a division game for the first time in Davis' tenure as owner. They were 1-11 against the AFC West during Turner's two seasons.
Turner is out of a job again, though he will likely be a strong candidate for several offensive coordinator openings if not head coaching positions.
He spent nearly seven seasons as Washington Redskins coach, leading them to a 49-59-1 record and just one playoff berth from 1994 to 2000 before being fired with three games left in his final campaign. He took the Raiders to Washington in November and beat the Redskins 16-13, and Turner was emotional afterward. Oakland didn't win again.
Names that have surfaced as potential successors to Turner are Martz, Baltimore offensive coordinator Jim Fassel, Ravens quarterbacks coach Rick Neuheisel, former Raiders coach and current NFL vice president Art Shell and Fresno State coach Pat Hill, who has NFL experience.
Davis has repeatedly said he regretted firing Shell after a 9-7 campaign in 1994.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2279219
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