Norv Turner agrees to become Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator
Friday 12 January 2018 12:42, UK
Former NFL head coach and veteran assistant Norv Turner has agreed in principle to join the Carolina Panthers as their new offensive coordinator.
According to reports by Sports Illustrated and NFL.com, Turner is to team up with Carolina head coach Ron Rivera, his old defensive coordinator from 2008-2010 while in charge of the San Diego Chargers.
Turner has had three stints as a head coach in the NFL, with the Washington Redskins, Oakland Raiders and the Chargers, spanning three decades.
His career record of 114-122-1 as a head coach is not hugely impressive, but the 65-year-old has remained a respected offensive coordinator since his days helping the Dallas Cowboys to back-to-back Super Bowl titles in 1992 and 1993.
Carolina are the seventh team to hire Turner as head of their offense, the last being the Minnesota Vikings from 2014-16. He takes over from Mike Shula, who was fired on Tuesday.
The Panthers hope he can revitalise their three-time Pro Bowl quarterback Cam Newton, a one-time league MVP whose play has dipped since reaching the Super Bowl three seasons ago. Newton has thrown 30 interceptions over the past two years.
The Panthers' woes on offense were their Achilles' heel this season. Carolina were ranked 19th in total offense (323.7 yards per game), 28th in passing (192.3 per game) and 12th in points per game (22.7).
Turner will also reportedly be joined by his son Scott, who is expected to become the team's quarterbacks coach after filling the same role during his father's stint with the Vikings.
