Turner wants to return to Dallas
Kevin Lynch, Chronicle Staff Writer
Monday, January 29, 2007
Norv Turner spent Sunday at the place that made him famous -- Dallas -- and in a surprise to some, he returned to California without a job offer from the Cowboys. Turner, though, is expected to talk with the team more today about its head-coaching vacancy.
The 49ers' offensive coordinator, who held the same position when Dallas won consecutive Super Bowls in 1993-94, appears to be a top candidate to replace the retiring Bill Parcells.
According to reports, Turner met all day with owner Jerry Jones, executive vice president Stephen Jones, who is Jones' son, and the outgoing Parcells. He then spoke briefly with reporters.
Asked if he still wanted the job after interviewing, Turner told the Fort Worth Star Telegram and other media outlets, "There's no question. ... I think the things that coach Parcells has done have left this team in position where good things are going to happen for it. So it's a great job."
Turner is still beloved in Dallas, even though he left the Cowboys 13 years ago. He's well known to the Jones family and to those they depend on for advice, including Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman.
Turner introduced Aikman during the former quarterback's Hall of Fame induction last summer and has remained close to the former Cowboy.
"I think this is the first time I've been back in the (Cowboys') building since I was a part of the organization many years ago," Turner told reporters. "I think we talked a little bit about everything today. ... This is one of the great organizations in all of sports. I had a chance to visit with Jerry and get a real good idea of what he's thinking, what he's looking at, and I was able to share a lot of my thoughts with him."
The Cowboys have interviewed seven candidates but only three from outside the organization: Turner, Chargers defensive coordinator (and former Bills and Broncos head coach) Wade Phillips and Saints defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs.
It's no coincidence that the other candidates are defensive coaches, which is where the 9-7 Cowboys struggled this season. Turner is known for grooming young quarterbacks, and the Cowboys have one in Tony Romo.
Turner would have to contend with Terrell Owens, if the wide receiver -- who essentially signed a series of three one-year deals -- returns to Dallas. When he was head coach in Oakland, Turner did get Randy Moss and Jerry Porter to perform.
"I want to coach good players. When you get into a situation in terms of being with a new team, there's an evaluation process and there's a lot of things that go into it," Turner said. "I like the players that are here and T.O. is one of them."
If Turner is hired, it could be with the understanding that he'll groom newly hired offensive coordinator Jason Garrett as his replacement.
Losing Turner would jar the 49ers, who have had three offensive coordinators in the last three seasons. The team would likely keep Turner's system in place, which would make receivers coach Jerry Sullivan a strong candidate to replace Turner.
Briefly: Chargers linebackers coach Greg Manusky is due in today to interview for the Niners' defensive-coordinator opening. He has coached linebackers in the Chargers' 3-4 scheme the last five seasons.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Norv Turner spent Sunday at the place that made him famous -- Dallas -- and in a surprise to some, he returned to California without a job offer from the Cowboys. Turner, though, is expected to talk with the team more today about its head-coaching vacancy.
The 49ers' offensive coordinator, who held the same position when Dallas won consecutive Super Bowls in 1993-94, appears to be a top candidate to replace the retiring Bill Parcells.
According to reports, Turner met all day with owner Jerry Jones, executive vice president Stephen Jones, who is Jones' son, and the outgoing Parcells. He then spoke briefly with reporters.
Asked if he still wanted the job after interviewing, Turner told the Fort Worth Star Telegram and other media outlets, "There's no question. ... I think the things that coach Parcells has done have left this team in position where good things are going to happen for it. So it's a great job."
Turner is still beloved in Dallas, even though he left the Cowboys 13 years ago. He's well known to the Jones family and to those they depend on for advice, including Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman.
Turner introduced Aikman during the former quarterback's Hall of Fame induction last summer and has remained close to the former Cowboy.
"I think this is the first time I've been back in the (Cowboys') building since I was a part of the organization many years ago," Turner told reporters. "I think we talked a little bit about everything today. ... This is one of the great organizations in all of sports. I had a chance to visit with Jerry and get a real good idea of what he's thinking, what he's looking at, and I was able to share a lot of my thoughts with him."
The Cowboys have interviewed seven candidates but only three from outside the organization: Turner, Chargers defensive coordinator (and former Bills and Broncos head coach) Wade Phillips and Saints defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs.
It's no coincidence that the other candidates are defensive coaches, which is where the 9-7 Cowboys struggled this season. Turner is known for grooming young quarterbacks, and the Cowboys have one in Tony Romo.
Turner would have to contend with Terrell Owens, if the wide receiver -- who essentially signed a series of three one-year deals -- returns to Dallas. When he was head coach in Oakland, Turner did get Randy Moss and Jerry Porter to perform.
"I want to coach good players. When you get into a situation in terms of being with a new team, there's an evaluation process and there's a lot of things that go into it," Turner said. "I like the players that are here and T.O. is one of them."
If Turner is hired, it could be with the understanding that he'll groom newly hired offensive coordinator Jason Garrett as his replacement.
Losing Turner would jar the 49ers, who have had three offensive coordinators in the last three seasons. The team would likely keep Turner's system in place, which would make receivers coach Jerry Sullivan a strong candidate to replace Turner.
Briefly: Chargers linebackers coach Greg Manusky is due in today to interview for the Niners' defensive-coordinator opening. He has coached linebackers in the Chargers' 3-4 scheme the last five seasons.
posted by The Gryphon at 6:15 PM
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