The fate of Chargers coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith most likely rests on the result of the team's final two regular-season games, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. An ugly six-game losing streak reportedly had owner Dean Spanos feeling three weeks ago that he'd have to dismiss Turner and Smith after the season. However, The Union-Tribune cited sources Thursday in reporting that Spanos was greatly encouraged by last weekend's 34-14 home victory over the Baltimore Ravens -- and by the enthusiastic response from fans in the stadium. At 48-30, Turner has the highest winning percentage of any coach in Chargers history. Smith has been the team's GM since 2003. Should Turner and Smith be fired in San Diego, sources told The Union-Tribune that the coach will be highly sought as an offensive coordinator and that the GM would be the leading candidate for the St. Louis Rams, who plan to clean house after the season. Source: NFL.com
so, if they finish with 8 or 9 wins once again, they keep their jobs? huh? spanos must just enjoy mediocrity.
I think A.J. Smith needs to go. The reason is that he got rid of Marty Schottenheimer who built this team. Norv Turner is a good coordinator but not a head coach. If Smith and Turner are still the GM and Head Coach, respectively, then Chargers fans who hold season tickets should ask for a refund.
AJ is a good GM, he just made some dumb decisions. Biggest was not having a contingency plan in place when he lost both his offensive and defensive playcallers after 2006, and firing Shottenheimer as a knee jerk reaction. Shottenheimer was a very good team manager
i think AJ may be a decent talent evaluator but he is not good at running an organization (hiring/firing coaches, player contract negotiations, etc.). He is probably best suited as a Director of Player Personnel.
Marty had a good amount of input AJ's first year as GM because of the death of John Butler. Marty was the main reason the Chargers passed on Troy Polamalu (who AJ wanted) instead trading down to grab a CB (what Marty wanted). Also AJ didn't fire Marty (he wanted Marty gone before 06 though), Dean fired Marty after Marty tried to make his son offensive coordinator and his brother defensive coordinator even after Dean told him not to. AJ has made several mistakes, most notably with coaching hires, so if AJ keeps his job I think Dean should make the coaching decision. Personally I don't think they should fire AJ but Norv needs to be gone (he never should have been hired), he has ruined this team. I could see Dean deciding to just clean house and start fresh though. But if AJ needs to go down to get Norv the hell out then so be it.
