Tag: Scott Turner

Raiders assistant linked to prominent collegiate opening

Raiders interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner is a candidate to take over as OC for Bill Belichick at North Carolina.

Raiders interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner has been linked to one of the top job openings in college football.

In a stunner, Bill Belichick accepted the head coaching job at UNC last week. The six-time Super Bowl-winning coach reached terms on a five-year deal that will pay him $10 million per season.

As Belichick now works to finalize his Tar Heel coaching staff, Turner is one of the top targets to become Belichick’s offensive coordinator at North Carolina per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Turner took over midseason as the Raiders’ interim offensive coordinator when Luke Getsy was fired following Las Vegas’ 41-24 Week 9 loss at Cincinnati.

With Turner pulling the strings, the Raiders haven’t scored more than 19 points in a game. Obviously, the Raiders’ quarterback situation and a rushing attack that ranks dead last in the NFL have made things challenging.

Prior to arriving in Las Vegas at the start of the 2023 season as the Raiders’ passing game coordinator, Turner served as the Washington Commanders‘ offensive coordinator from 2020-22.

Turner also operated as the Carolina Panthers‘ interim offensive coordinator for the final four games of the 2019 season. Turner joined Carolina as Ron Rivera and the Panthers’ quarterbacks coach from 2018-19.

Turner got his coaching start as a graduate assistant at Oregon State in 2005. Turner then spent time with the Pittsburgh Panthers as one of their offensive assistants and as a wide receivers coach before jumping into the NFL.

Turner’s NFL start was in Carolina as an offensive quality control coach from 2011-12. Turner then had stints as the Minnesota Vikings‘ quarterbacks coach (2014-16) and as the Michigan Wolverines‘ offensive analyst in 2017 before rejoining Carolina in the NFL.

The Raiders (2-11) are currently mired in a nine-game losing streak and return to action with a Monday night date against the Atlanta Falcons (6-7).

Raiders offense seeing signs of progress of late

Even as the Raiders losing streak continues, there are positive signs they could be putting things together on offense under interim OC Scott Turner.

Make no mistake, the Raiders are still one of the worst teams in the league. They are still in the midst of an eight-game losing streak and the offense hasn’t cracked 20 points in a month. But if you are looking for signs of hope, there are signs to be found.

A month ago, the Raiders fired offensive coordinator Luke Getsy and promoted passing game coordinator Scott Turner to interim OC. And things have improved in the three games since he took over.

Total yards have been better in each of the past three games than they had been for any of the games over the final month under Getsy. The passing yards totals have been better than at any point since their losing streak began and have gone over 300 yards in each of the past two games, which hadn’t happened all season coming in. And their 116 yards on the ground in Kansas City last week was their third highest total of the season.

Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce credits Turner for that improvement.

“When I look at all our skill guys and improvement that they’re making these last three games, I think Scott [Turner] has done a good job of really getting everybody involved and that’s even in our running game,” said Pierce. “And that’s a credit to these players, because it hasn’t gone our way for most of the season offensively, and to see the progress that we made over the last two or three weeks is good to see.”

The deep passing game has been the catalyst for the overall improved numbers through the air. And the best example was the 58-yard touchdown from Aidan O’Connell to Tre Tucker last week.

“We’ve been talking about hitting shots for a while now, and I thought the best thing we did was play design,” Pierce said. “Let’s look at that, right? We got him in motion. We got movement between the corner and the nickel, now we’ve got Tre Tucker running full speed on them, something we’ve been really working on in practice.”

Coaching may be where it starts, but you can’t call a pass play like that without a QB who can make that throw. It’s something former starter Gardner Minshew lacked, but that is very much in a staple of current (and former) starter Aidan O’Connell’s game.

“We haven’t thrown the ball down the field, let’s just keep it frank,” Pierce continued. “And Aidan [O’Connell] saw it, and I’m not going to lie he did right in front of me, I just said ball and that bad boy kept running. It was beautiful to see.”

At some point, it may lead to a win. Which, with the Raiders officially eliminated from playoff contention, may not matter much. What you really want to see now is progress and some signs of a good foundation for the future.

Donald Trump picks ex-Broncos player for his Cabinet

Scott Turner, one of Donald Trump’s recent Cabinet picks, played his final season in the NFL with the Broncos in 2003.

President-elect Donald Trump has selected former NFL defensive back Scott Turner to join his Cabinet when Trump’s presidency term begins in 2025.

Turner (pictured with the San Diego Chargers above) has been tabbed to serve as the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. He previously oversaw the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term as president.

Turner, 52, had an eight-year career in the NFL, spending time with Washington, the Chargers and the Denver Broncos. He blocked a punt against the Broncos while playing for San Diego in 2000, then grabbed a 75-yard pick-six against Denver later that season.

Turner spent his final season in the NFL playing for the Broncos in 2003. He appeared in nine games that season, totaling eight tackles. He appeared in 101 games in his career, recording 106 tackles, five interceptions and two sacks before hanging up his cleats.

Turner will need to be confirmed by the Senate before officially taking his new Cabinet position.

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Scott Turner discusses potential Raiders run game fixes

Interim Raiders offensive coordinator Scott Turner discussed how Las Vegas can find fixes in their struggling run game.

One of the biggest issues that has ailed a struggling Raiders offense has been its inability to establish and find consistent success in the run game.

Entering their Week 11 date on Sunday at the Miami Dolphins, Las Vegas ranks dead last in the NFL in rushing yardage with just 692 rushing yards. The Raiders’ 3.5 yards per carry average is also last in the league.

As Scott Turner takes over as the Raiders’ interim offensive coordinator, the former passing game coordinator discussed how Las Vegas can address its struggling rushing attack.

“We’ve had some issues, obviously. We know we’re not doing a great job right now of running the football. Trying to just make sure that the communication is great up front, so number one, we know who we’re getting to. Coach [Joe] Philbin, he’s going to do a great job, even in practice yesterday.

“Just really focusing on the fundamentals of hat placement, understanding what we’re trying to get out of every run. Hopefully we can stay a little healthier and have some continuity, which will help us get going
up front. And then the backs, just being decisive, don’t worry about making a mistake or putting the ball in the wrong place, just go hit it and run and get your pads going forward,” Turner said.

As Turner pointed out, the Raiders also have to give themselves more chances to run the football by extending drives.

Las Vegas’ 199 rushing attempts on the season are second-to-last, ahead of only the Dallas Cowboys.

“And then we got to get first downs, like you got to get first downs, whether it’s in the run or pass, to give yourself more attempts to run the football, because that’s where we’re lacking too. We’re lacking at attempts. We haven’t had great efficiency, but we’re also low at attempts as well,” Turner said.

Turner reiterated that communication will be the key up front for interim offensive line coach Joe Philbin and his bunch.

“I think our focus has got to be on communication. Like those guys got to communicate, and like I said, hopefully we can get some continuity. We have had changing lineups there, and you’re right, we’ve got some talented guys up front. And I think we got some guys that are young guys that are going to continue to get better.

“And I think the more they play, the more they communicate, if we can make things – again, you can’t just say we’re going to be super simple because you’ve got to go try to make plays – but as much as we can walk that line, that helps those guys as well. Because when guys know what to do, that allows them to play fast, which builds confidence, and then you play better,” Turner said.

The Raiders’ leading rusher heading into its Week 11 date in Miami is Alexander Mattison who has carried 92 times for 301 rushing yards with three touchdowns on the ground.

Zamir White also has 60 carries for 174 rushing yards with one rushing score thus far this season.

Interim Raiders OC Scott Turner details plan to restore Gardner Minshew’s confidence

Interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner detailed the Raiders’ plan to restore Gardner Minshew’s confidence.

The Las Vegas Raiders (2-7) are hoping that a much-needed bye week and offensive staffing changes can provide a spark in the season’s second half.

One of the series of changes that the Raiders made in the immediate aftermath of their 41-24 loss at the Cincinnati Bengals was to elevate passing game coordinator Scott Turner to interim offensive coordinator.

As Turner takes over the play calling duties, he also assumes the task of trying to restore confidence in Las Vegas quarterback Gardner Minshew who Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce confirmed will start again this Sunday at Miami.

Turner detailed the Raiders’ plans to help restore Minshew’s confidence.

“I think everyone, when you lose five games in a row and you’re 2-7 and you go into a bye, I think everyone kind of needed a little bit of a reset. And you look at the games, and like I said, I talked about the competitiveness of the games. One play here and there can kind of throw a game good or bad,” Turner explained.

“And so, I think when you look back and you show those guys, ‘See, hey, look at all these positives, look at all the good things you did,’ and then give them solutions to eliminate the negatives. The other team’s always going to make plays. That’s going to happen in every NFL game. I think you guys have seen enough to know that.”

Turner said that the Raiders have positive plays that they can build on, but that Minshew and Las Vegas are giving too many negatives away to the opposition.

“But what you can’t do is you just can’t give them plays. Some of the plays late in the down, whatever, we just got to be better, whether if it’s not in our favor to get to the next down, and then when it is in our favor, we got to capitalize on them.

“And again, there’s been good. We just got to build on that. And that’s what you got to focus on, kind of let them reset, let them get away from it. We did that. And now hit the ground running and try to put these guys in situations where they feel confident that they’re going to be successful,” Turner said.

That starts with Minshew who Turner said needs to be more consistent.

“Just consistency. He knows we’ve got to obviously take care of the football. And then just the consistency of it. I’m not going to get into the schematic details and everything like that, but just one play at a time and don’t try to do too much, just kind of take what they give you and move on to the next play,” Turner said.

Minshew admitted it’s been tough at times to keep the confidence up when there’s a rotating door at quarterback and when he and the team aren’t getting the results they want.

But, the sixth-year pro has ridden the NFL’s ups and downs before.

“It could be tough, man, no doubt about it. But I’ve been there before, been through it, and excited for the opportunity ahead. That’s really all we have. We got these days to prepare, and we got a game coming up. We’re focused on that and letting it rip,” Minshew said on Wednesday.

Minshew said the verbiage and bones of the offense should remain the same with Scott Turner taking over the play calling, but that there could be some tweaks in the way the game is called.

“I think kind of the approach for calling the game might be a little different, a little bit different flavor to it. So, we’ll kind of see how that develops as we move forward,” Minshew said.

The Raiders also hired former head coach and Scott’s father, Norv Turner, to the staff as a senior advisor during the bye week.

“It’s awesome, man. Those guys have been great. Obviously, kind of a wild situation with Norv getting in here, but he’s been awesome, man. So much knowledge and he’s fun to kind of joke with and mess around with in the quarterback room. But that dude knows his stuff, and I think he’s really going to help us,” Minshew said.

The Raiders travel to Miami this Sunday for a 10 a.m. PT kickoff inside Hard Rock Stadium with the game televised on CBS.

Scott Turner opens tenure as Raiders OC with moving tribute to recently passed Hall of Fame coach

In Scott Turner’s first press conference as Raiders offensive coordinator, he gave tribute to recently passed Hall of Fame coach, John Robinson.

Thursday, Scott Turner took to the podium for his first press conference since being named the Raiders interim offensive coordinator. But before he answered any questions, he had to pay his respects to a legendary coach who was a big part of his life.

“The sports/football world, and the Las Vegas community specifically, lost someone this past week in Coach John Robinson,” said Turner.

“He was my college coach, had a big impact on my life both professionally and personally. And then my dad [Norv Turner], who just joined the staff, obviously you guys know that, he played for him [Coach Robinson] at Oregon, he coached for him, and that’s how my dad met my mom, when she was his secretary at USC. So, obviously, a big, big part of our family, a tough loss, and it’s a tough loss for everybody in the football community. A legendary coach, College Football Hall of Fame.”

It’s hard to imagine a coach having more ties to a family than Robinson did with the Turner family. To coach both father AND son in college and also be the reason Norv met his wife and Scott’s mom?

In 1975, the San Mateo native Robinson returned home to coach running backs for the Raiders for a season before USC came calling for him to take their head coaching job. With the Trojans he went on to win four straight Rose Bowls and a National Championship (1978).

He then went on to the NFL as the head coach the LA Rams for eight seasons from 1983-91 before returning to USC for seasons.

His ties to Las Vegas came in 1999 when he took over as head coach at UNLV and in his final two seasons as a college head coach in 2003-04 Scott Turner played for him. Now two decades later, he recalled what stuck with him the most about playing for Robinson.

“The big thing that he did as the head coach, and what I said before is like, this is a relationship business, and I learned that from him, just like how he truly cared about all the players on the team,” Turner added. “And it didn’t matter if it was a walk-on or the highest recruit that we had there at the time, he knew about them and he found time to build relationships with guys to try to help them be the best that they can be. And that’s what coaching is about, and that’s why you get in this business.”

In 2009 — five years after Robinson’s retirement — he was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. He passed away on November 11 at the age of 89.

Norv Turner conversation with son Scott about joining Raiders staff was so wholesome

Some things are bigger than football. And when Raiders interim OC Scott Turner asked his dad Norv to join him in Las Vegas reminder of that.

Some things are bigger than football. And sometimes, as with Norv Turner joining his son with the Raiders, it can fulfill both the football aspects as well as the life.

When the Raiders fired Luke Getsy as offensive coordinator, Antonio Pierce turned to passing game coordinator Scott Turner to take over as interim OC. To which, Turner had one request — bring my dad onboard.

“AP made the decision that he made and he contacted me and we went through the process and the only thing I really asked for was if we could have my dad come, just for some help,” said Scott of his father Norv. “He was good about that, when AP was a player he played against my dad when he was a coach, so he said he thought it was a good idea and that was pretty much it.”

Norv had coached at the NFL level, either as an offensive coordinator or a head coach for nearly 40 years. But this was about a lot more than his wealth of experience. For both of them, this was the bonds between father and son and grandchildren.

But first, it was about breaking the news to mama Turner that Norv was coming out of retirement.

“He just said don’t tell your mom. He was like ‘I got to find out how I’m going to break it to her.’ Scott said of his dad’s response to being asked to join him in Las Vegas. “She was good. She was like ‘I don’t know why he was so nervous’. I was like ‘Come on, you know why’. He’s living with me. My kids are enjoying it. They don’t see him much, but they will as we get to the end of the week and my mom will be out here in about a week or so.

“I coached with my dad before. He was the coordinator, I was the quarterback coach. So being able to live close to him was great. Now, my kids are older — 10 and 8 — so they’re like super fired up about having Papa around. So, that part of it on a personal note is really cool.”

On a professional note, Norv Turner is yet another former head coach and well-respected mind on this Raiders coaching staff. Joining the likes of Marvin Lewis and Tom Coughlin in senior advisory roles. And being that he’s had a personal interest in the Raiders of late due to his son being on staff, he isn’t coming into it completely fresh.

“Being able to have him see us at practice every day, not just watching us from afar and helping with input is invaluable,” Scott added.

“He watches football constantly. He knows what we’ve done one offense,” Scott said of Norv. “Obviously the verbiage is totally foreign to him, but I can just translate it. He just says what he thinks and I say ‘Oh, we call it this’ or whatever. So, it’s really not that hard.

“And just fundamentals, tidbits for the quarterback, he’s sitting in a lot of the quarterback meetings. Just stuff that you don’t even think of. Again, I can only see so much.

“We have a great coaching staff, those guys do a great job too. It’s just another set of eyes. With the wealth of experience that he has who also, he’s not afraid to tell me what he really thinks obviously, so that part of it is great also.”

So, welcome back to the Silver & Black, Norv. And to spending more time with your son and grandkids. You love to see it.

Raiders announce 3 new coaches including offensive coordinator

Scott Turner moves from passing game coordinator to interim offensive coordinator and two former head coaches get new titles as well.

There are some new faces in new positions on the Raiders coaching staff today. The team announced Tuesday the replacements on the staff who will be taking over for the three coaches they fired late Sunday.

The new addition to the staff is Norv Turner who joins the team as a Senior Advisor.

Norv’s son Scott Turner moves from passing game coordinator to interim offensive coordinator. Taking the job previously held by Luke Getsy who held the position for just nine games.

Stepping into the role of interim offensive line coach is Joe Philbin who previously had the title of senior offensive assistant. The job was previously held by James Cregg.

The only fired coach who didn’t have his title given to someone else was QB coach Rich Scangarello.

Norv Turner and Joe Philbin are both former NFL head coaches. Norv in particular coached the Raiders in 2004-05. He was brought out of retirement, having last been with an NFL team in 2019 as the OC with the Carolina Panthers.

Former Vikings OC Norv Turner comes out of retirement, joins Raiders staff

Norv Turner will come out of retirement to become an offensive assistant for the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Las Vegas Raiders fired several offensive coaches after Week 9 as the team stands at 2-7 on the season. They have had a rotation of quarterbacks this season and they decided they needed an offensive mind to get things going.

They decided to go deep into the well of great offensive minds and bring one out of retirement.

Norv Turner, former NFL head coach and Vikings offensive coordinator, will come out of retirement to become an offensive assistant for the Las Vegas Raiders. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media first reported the addition to Antoinio Pierce’s staff.

The move also reunites Turner with his son, Scott Turner, the new offensive coordinator for the Raiders. Scott Turner originally joined the Raiders staff in 2023 as their passing game coordinator.

Norv Turner spent three seasons with the Vikings from 2015 to 2016 before he unexpectedly resigned. As a head coach, Turner is 114-122-1 in games coached in the NFL.

Raiders hop into the wayback machine for coaching hire following Luke Getsy ouster

It’s been 20 years since Norv Turner roamed the Raiders sideline. And he’s back.

It’s been 20 years since Norv Turner roamed the sideline for the Raiders. It’s been five years since he roamed an NFL sideline at all. But today, he’s back, folks. Tuesday it was reported that in the wake of the Raiders firing Luke Getsy as offensive coordinator, they have hired former head coach Norv Turner.

Turner’s son Scott was already on the Raideres’ staff. Many have suspected Scott would be taking over offensive play calling duties with Getsy out. And that’s still possible. But whatever role he has, he will have his dad to help him out.

Turner is one of several longtime former NFL head coaches the Raiders brought in this offseason along with Tom Coughlin and Assistant Head Coach Marvin Lewis.