The biggest problem this season with Chargers isn't the Chargers in my opinion. It isn't the defense minus Shawne Merriman. It isn't the offense with LaDainian Tomlinson's toe injury. The problem is AJ Smith and Norv Turner.
Why AJ Smith? AJ Smith hired Norv Turner, that's why. AJ Smith fired Marty Schottenheimer. He is the one ultimately responsible for the Chargers.
This isn't a "hate AJ Smith" article or a "hate-a-thon" against Norv Turner. What this is going to be is a statistical analysis of why AJ Smith made a huge mistake by firing Marty Schottenheimer and bringing in Norv Turner as his replacement.
Yes, we all know Schottenheimer's dismal playoff record (5-13) with no Super Bowl appearances. Minus a couple of untimely fumbles in the playoffs, his teams just couldn't seem to get over that hump to make it to the big game.
For this analysis, I will be comparing Marty's first 10 years as a head coach and Norv Turner's 10 years as a head coach (minus the '08 season).
I'll do the easy numbers first. Norv Turner's record as a head coach is 69-87-1 for a .439 winning percentage. Marty Schottenheimer's record as a head coach in his first 10 years is 94-56-1 for a .622 winning percentage.
AJ Smith's mantra is, "Just get to the playoffs." Well, that's just what Marty does. Norv on the other hand...well, he has not done such a good job at doing that.
Let's take a look at their playoff records. Marty, in his first 10 seasons with Cleveland and Kansas City, got his teams into the post season eight out of 10 seasons. Norv, with Washington, Oakland and San Diego has got his teams to the playoffs twice.
We know Marty's record in the post season over his career is 5-13. In his first 10 seasons, his record was 5-8. Norv's post season record is 3-2.
At this point in time, you're probably thinking, "Hey, Norv has the better record in the playoffs." and you are correct. However, when you throw in the AJ Smith mantra, Schottenheimer is clearly the better of the two.
Now, lets take a look at another very important factor in reaching the playoffs and that is your divisional record. After all, if you can't beat the teams in your division, odds are, you will not make it to the playoffs.
Marty's first year as a head coach was in 1984 with the Cleveland Browns when he took over for Sam Rutigliano half way through the season. Marty finished the year at 4-4. His next season, the Browns finished 8-8 and a playoff berth. Respectable. Norv Turner took over the Redskins before the start of the '94 season and finished 3-13. One less win than Schottenheimer, but, nine more loses. Norv's second year as head coach, the Redskins finished at 6-10
So, I said that if you can't win in your division, you will find it very difficult to make it to the playoffs. I truly believe that. Marty's divisional record in his first 10 years as head coach was 47-21 for a .691 winning percentage. That's a very good percentage. Norv's divisional record is 26-45-1 for a winning percentage of .361.
Schottenheimer, in his first 10 years as head coach, his teams finished at .500 or better, never having a losing season. Turner, in his 10 years, his teams finished at .500 or better five times. It wasn't until Schottenheimer's 15th season before one of his teams had a losing record.
Some may argue that if you can't win in the playoffs, wha
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about 1 month ago
Sorry, I can't agree less about Marty. Norv sucks but could Marty change the attitude of this team. I'm not sure he could. This team is loaded with primadonnas and they play like they deserve to win not like they have to work for it. So in esscence I have to say it is the players that are ultimately responsible for this teams play not just their soft as a marshmallow coach.
about 1 month ago
I disagree Kevin, as we have seen in the past few weeks the Chargers defense has been making a great deal of progress. Coaches make a huge difference as has been evident in throughout the history of the NFL. The Chargers do have a lot of stars but if you listen to their interviews and read about what the players are saying, they seem to have humble attitude. TC was weak, so is Norv. Hopefully Norv can step it up and be the coach they need. Ron Rivera is a stud, I believe we will continue to see growth in the defense in the last five games.
about 1 month ago
I don't want Marty Schottenheimer back, he's pretty much the antithesis of Norv in terms of results. Norv, by grace of God, coached a team into the playoffs last year and won two tough games. If his trio of offensive stars don't get injured against New England, we could be talking about firing a guy who got to the Super Bowl last year. Marty got into the playoffs and lost it completely, playing ultra-conservative ball and losing two games that should've been wins.
Norv coaches not to lose. Marty coaches not to lose in the playoffs. Neither one is a good option.
about 1 month ago
I love the Chargers but hate watching what is happening. So we did well in the playoffs last year. Norv walked into a cush job with a team with top talent. All he did was maintain what they were doing. We are now seeing what a poor coach he is. I'm afraid of what will happen if he stays on next year like Dean Spanos says he will.
As for AJ, he has made some great moves for the team, but it's time he owned up to some mistakes (Norv, Buster Davis, trading our second round pick next year to move up in the draft and get Hester...)
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