Since
Norv Turner's arrival at San Diego his stay has been a roller coaster of fan support and fan hatred. One game he throws in a fake punt...fans love him. 82% of the time he runs the ball up the middle on first down...fans hate him. The 2011 season was no different. A fake punt here, a long ball on first down there and the fans are saying he can stay. A 6 game losing streak and missing playoffs for the second year in a row and the fans are chanting off with his head. So with all this speculation, who's head is really on the chopping block.
Manic Monday, as is the common term for the desolate day when 16 teams decide something must change in their franchise. The Chargers aren't the only ones looking at changing management in the off-season. The
Chicago Bears fired GM
Jerry Angelo but kept on Head Coach
Lovie Smith. The
St. Louis Rams fired GM
Billy Devaney and coach
Steve Spagnuolo. The
Miami Dolphins already have new GM Jeff Ireland in place. The only common thread between all the teams flirting with the possibility of a new head coach is who they want: Jeff Fisher. In the last week alone Fisher has been reported as talking to the Dolphins, the Rams and the Colts. Fisher coached the Tennessee Titans for a decade before being let go last January after a dismal 6-10 finish. Over those ten years he was 142-120 overall record including the franchise's only SuperBowl appearance in 1999.
What makes Fisher so appealing? He has experience. He has led a team to the coveted game in February. He was let go over a dispute of whether he could hire his son, not over a strategic dispute with the front office. The latest list of possible homes for Fisher include your very own San Diego Chargers. After an unstable quarterback situation in Vince Young, Fisher told NBC Sports that he wants to enter into a stable quarterback situation. Philip Rivers is franchised with the Chargers. With all this speculation let's look at some specific details that have put Turner in the hot seat he is in.
The Chargers began this season 4-1. They ended 4-1. But they were plagued with a 6 game losing streak in the middle.
Turner is 3-3 in playoffs during his 5 years as head coach with the Chargers.
In 14 seasons he is 107-113-1.
Looking at these stats it seems that Turner may have been going through a bit of a rough patch...but not necessarily a career-ending streak. Fisher, on the other hand, is no John Wooden either.
Under Fisher the Titans 6-10 in 2010.
Fisher is 5-6 in the postseason.
In 12 seasons he is 120-88.
When you look at it that way...is it really time to hand over the headset?
