As the Browns continue to trudge through the early stages of a coaching search, it’s becoming more and more obvious that they’ll be replacing the offensive and defensive coordinators.
Norv Turner, a three-time head coach who once served as former Browns coach Rob Chudzinski’s mentor in San Diego, surely won’t be back. As Tony Grossi of ESPNCleveland.com explains the situation, Chudzinksi and Turner worked together in burying Brian Hoyer on the depth chart -- a move that per Grossi had plenty to do with Chudzinski losing his job.
And so it’s no surprise that Turner had no qualms about asking pointed questions when the coaching staff met with Haslam the day after Chudzinski was fired. According to Pat McManamon of ESPN.com, Turner inquired specifically about the disconnect between moves made as part of a long-term rebuilding effort (e.g., the early-season trade of running back Trent Richardson to the Colts) with a decision to hold Chudzinski accountable for poor results during the first year of a long-term rebuilding effort.
Per McManamon, Turner experienced a “slow boil” throughout the season as the coaching staff had its hands tied for talent. The decision to fire Chudzinski for not getting better results under the circumstances “prompted [Turner] to speak up.”
It’s unclear whether Turner was angry or simply candid. Regardless, he’ll soon be available to become an offensive coordinator with a new team.
Despite being fired three times as a head coach, Turner has excelled in the past as a coordinator. It’s hard not to imagine someone else wanting him right away.