Report: Chargers Owner Dean Spanos To Fire GM A.J. Smith, Head Coach Norv Turner
SAN DIEGO (CBSLA.com) - The San Diego Chargers owner Dean Spanos will fire both general manager A.J. Smith and head coach Norv Turner at the end of the season, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Tribune.
Report also says Chargers President Spanos made his decision at least a month ago, around the same time the Chargers blew a 24-point lead against the Denver Broncos.
However, the Chargers released a statement regarding the recent reports about the status of General Manager A.J. Smith and Head Coach Norv Turner, "There is only one person in this organization who will make those decisions and that's me, and I haven't shared my thoughts with anyone," said Spanos.
"I will make my evaluations at the end of the season. Anything coming out now – from sources or otherwise – is pure speculation."
Turner, who started coaching the Chargers since 2007, has failed to lead the Bolts into the playoffs since 2009 and they've lost eight of their last 10 games.
General Manger Smith has been with the Chargers for the last 10 seasons with a record of 92-64, but he's been under fire after he failed to re-sign talent like WR Vincent Jackson, who is having a Pro Bowl-like year with 1014 yards and 7 touchdowns with the Bucs, and RB Michael Turner, who's averaged over 1,000 yards in the last five seasons with the Falcons.
The Chargers will travel to Heinz Field Sunday to face the Pittsburgh Steelers at 10AM on CBS 2.
Potential candidates to coach the Chargers in the 2013 season are Eagles head coach Andy Reid, who resides in San Diego, Oregon head coach Chip Kelly and ESPN Monday Football analyst Jon Gruden.
