SAN DIEGO -- San Diego Chargers general manager John Butler
interviewed offensive coordinator Norv Turner for the team's vacant
head coaching job Monday.
"It went well," Butler said of his talk with Turner, the only
holdover from Mike Riley's staff. Butler wouldn't elaborate
further.
"We'll keep that right in house," Butler said Monday night.
It was Butler's first interview in the two weeks since he fired
Riley on Dec. 31. The Chargers lost their last nine games to finish
5-11, and Riley was 14-34 in three seasons.
Turner didn't return a phone call seeking comment. He was head
coach of the Washington Redskins from 1994 until being fired with
three games left in the 2000 season by owner Dan Snyder. Turner,
49-59-1 with the Redskins, was hired a few weeks later by the
Chargers.
Turner has three years left on his contract.
Butler was surprised to hear that the Indianapolis Colts had
sought permission from the New York Jets to interview defensive
coordinator Ted Cottrell.
"Boy, I didn't realize that," said Butler, who added that he
plans to ask the Jets on Tuesday for permission to speak with
Cottrell.
"I'm sure Ted will be talking to both teams," Butler said.
Cottrell's name surfaced even before Riley was fired because he
was on Buffalo's staff while Butler was the Bills' GM. Butler has
surrounded himself with former Bills players and front-office
personnel.
Butler said he has nothing scheduled with Tony Dungy, fired as
Tampa Bay coach Monday night. When asked if Marty Schottenheimer
and Jim Mora were possibilities, Butler said, "That I won't say."
Butler said he hadn't had a chance to speak with Schottenheimer
since he was fired by Washington on Sunday night, leading to the
hiring of Steve Spurrier.
Butler said he spoke briefly with Mora after he was fired by the
Colts last week, but hadn't followed up.
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