Norv Turner: If Chargers Don't Succeed, Will He Return for Another Season?

Norv Turner has been one of the most polarizing figures in the NFL for years. Most observers believe that he is a great offensive coordinator, but a very poor head coach. 

However, Turner has been placed into relatively tough situations as a head coach in the past. During the 2000 season, he was the head coach of the Washington Redskins, who had the most expensive roster in the NFL at the time.

Owner Daniel Snyder believed that Turner wasn't doing enough with the talent on the roster and fired Turner when he had a 7-6 record. In the following seasons, it was clear that Turner was not the sole problem. The Redskins did not have another winning season until 2005.

Turner's tenure as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders should not count against him at all. The Raiders have been a terribly run franchise for years and Turner held very little actual power in the organization.

This brings us to Turner's current position as head coach of the San Diego Chargers. With the Chargers, Turner is in control of one of the most talented teams in the NFL. 

For years, I have been a Norv Turner apologist. I argued that he hasn't been given a fair shake as a head coach and I thought that he would finally have his chance to shine as the coach of the Chargers.

I felt vindicated when Turner led the Chargers to the AFC championship game in his first season. 

However, the criticisms that have dogged Turner throughout his career have manifested themselves in the past couple of seasons. The Chargers have looked unprepared and soft in many games. Their unpreparedness last year led to them missing the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

There's no doubt that the Chargers' window of opportunity is swiftly closing. Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates are in their prime and need to win now.

Turner is an offensive genius, but his easygoing disposition often works against him as an NFL head coach. If Turner doesn't lead his team to the AFC championship game this season, the Chargers must fire him and hire a fiery coach that will instill discipline in the players. 

The Chargers have too much talent and if Turner continues to not utilize his roster to its full potential, he is not the right man to lead the team.

The Chargers need to win a Super Bowl, and it needs to happens soon.