Tag: Scott Turner

Ron Rivera is filling out Redskins coaching staff with Carolina connections

Ron Rivera has made several position coaching hires in the past couple of days, and most of them come from the Carolina Panthers.

While several of the NFL teams who are in need of a new head coach are still scrambling to conduct interviews with head coaching prospects, the Washington Redskins are onto the next stage of things, filling out their roster of position coaches that will work under new head coach Ron Rivera.

When Rivera was introduced as the Redskins’ new coach last week, it was reported that he wanted to move fast and get through the hiring process so that they could get down to business. Now it seems that he is doing just that, as a report has surfaced that he’s hired a couple of defensive coaches that used to work with him.

NBC Sports Washington reported on Saturday that Rivera had done some work to fill out the offensive coaching staff, though an offensive coordinator had not yet been settled on. Rivera brought over two coaches from the Carolina Panthers to join him in Washington; John Matsko, for the offensive line, and Jim Hostler for the wide receivers. Now it’s being reported that Rivera has brought in Steve Russ, the former linebackers coach in Carolina, to head up the same job for the Redskins.

Many of these moves on the defensive side of the ball should be highly encouraging to fans, as they are surely getting a stamp of approval from defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. However, it is a bit interesting to see a couple of offensive coaches get hired while an offensive coordinator is yet to be put into place. The Redskins are currently in talks with at least two people — Kevin O’Connell and Scott Turner — while reportedly having an interest in former Giants head coach Pat Shurmur as well. Once an OC is hired, expect the offensive side of the coaching staff to move just as quickly as the defense.

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Report: Redskins show interest in former Giants coach Pat Shurmer as next OC

The Redskins are looking to fill their offensive coordinator role, and a report has surfaced that they might look to hire the ex-Giant.

It was reported earlier on Saturday evening that the Washington Redskins are highly active in their search for a new offensive coordinator, and former New York Giants head coach, Pat Shurmur, is being considered for the opening as well. Shurmur was fired by the Giants earlier this week after ending the year with a 4-12 record, making him 9-23 in two seasons with the team.

The Redskins have also talked to both Kevin O’Connell, who was the OC last season, as well as Scott Turner, the son of former Redskins coach Norv Turner, and the former OC for the Carolina Panthers. It has been reported that O’Connell would be the teams first choice, but it is unclear if he wishes to continue in the current position under new head coach Ron Rivera. O’Connell has one year left on his contract with the team.

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Redskins interview Scott Turner for OC/QB coach; What that means for Kevin O’Connell

With O’Connell not yet committed to the Redskins, Panthers OC Scott Turner was interviewed for the position this week.

The Washington Redskins are moving forward with their decision to interview prospective offensive coordinators for the future, as their current OC Kevin O’Connell might not be long for the job.

Take this all with a grain of salt, because there are a number of things that can be drawn from the situation.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, new Redskins head coach Ron Rivera is conducting an interview with Scott Turner — the son of longtime NFL coach Norv Turner — who was the OC for the Carolina Panthers under Rivera. Turner, who is 37-years-old, started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Oregon State University in 2005, and he has moved through the NFL and college ranks since then, spending time with the Panthers, Cleveland Browns, and Minnesota Vikings.

Turner’s potential is great, as his father was one of the better offensive coaches since the turn of the century, and he has a high upside in the NFL. However, you may be wondering what this means for current OC Kevin O’Connell, who has been compared to the likes of Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan over the past year. Rivera has not officially named O’Connell the OC in Washington, nor has O’Connell declared that he wants to keep that job. But does the consideration for Turner mean that KOC is out in Washington?

Not exactly. In fact, there is a scenario that is likely to play out, and it greatly benefits all parties involved. In that scenario, KOC — who is under contract for at least one more year — is named as the OC, and Turner is named the QB coach. In the future, whether that be next year or a few years down the road, KOC will be able to take the head coaching jobs he earns due to high production in Washington, and Turner steps up into the OC position, and repeat. This would keep a solid line of continuity in the Redskins’ offense, which is ideal for rookie QB Dwayne Haskins.

Of course, there are a number of other possibilities that can easily happen, such as KOC asking out this year, and Turner coming right into the OC position, giving Haskins a new playbook to learn less than a year after he started to figure out the first one.

Until anything concrete happens, all we can do is speculate. However, don’t be too quick to think that KOC is out just because Turner might be in. There is a highly plausible outcome here that bolsters the offense in Washington.

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Panthers OC Scott Turner interviewing with Ron Rivera’s Redskins

According to a report by Ian Rapoport at NFL Network, Panthers offensive coordinator Scott Turner is interviewing for Washington’s OC job today.

As the Panthers continue their search for a new head coach, Ron Rivera is already at work assembling his staff for the Redskins. As you might expect, he’s leaning on his connections with Carolina. According to a report by Ian Rapoport at NFL Network, Panthers offensive coordinator Scott Turner is interviewing for Washington’s OC job today.

Turner took over for his father Norv after Rivera was fired with one month to go in the regular season. He did a good job of putting the team’s skill players like Curtis Samuel to use in new ways. However, he was held back by some serious issues at quarterback. Kyle Allen and Will Grier combined to throw two touchdowns and 10 interceptions in the final four games.

If Turner gets the job with the Redskins, he’ll be tasked with developing Dwayne Haskins. He had a tough start to his rookie season but came on strong in December, beginning with a road win over Carolina.

Rivera has also interviewed the Panthers’ head athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion.

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5 Panthers who need to step up vs. Falcons Week 14

Here are five guys who need to step it up in today’s game.

The Carolina Panthers embark on a new era in today’s game against the Atlanta Falcons. For the first time in almost nine years, someone other than Ron Rivera will be coaching the team. That means opportunities for new coaches and players to prove themselves.

Here are five guys who need to step it up in today’s game.

OC Scott Turner

The Panthers are mixing things up on both sides of the ball in the wake of Rivera’s exit. Norv Turner is now a special assistant to the coach, opening up room for his son Scott (QBs coach) to take over offensive play-calling duties. Turner was reported to be Kyle Allen’s biggest cheerleader last year, so it will be interesting to see what he can get out of him.

TE Ian Thomas

Another key change will take place at tight end. Greg Olsen has been ruled out with a concussion, so we’ll finally get to see more of the other tight ends on the roster like 2018 fourth-round pick Ian Thomas. Last season, Thomas showed flashes as well as some rough edges. If he can prove himself, the Panthers can feel much better about their future at this position.

LB Shaq Thompson

Thompson just signed a four-year contract extension that makes him one of the top-five off-ball linebackers in the league in terms of annual salary. Thompson has done everything he’s been asked so far, but now Carolina is paying for elite production at this spot. Thompson has to earn it.

CB Donte Jackson

Last time these two teams played, Jackson was handily beaten in his one-on-one matchups with Calvin Ridley. He caught all eight of his targets, totaling a season high 143 receiving yards and a touchdown. Jackson may have been battling an injury last time. Either way, he has to do better this time around.

HC Perry Fewell

Nobody will be under the spotlight more than interim head coach Perry Fewell, who will become the first black head coach in franchise history. Fewell’s background is as a defensive backs expert and he’s part of the reason that unit has exceeded expectations this year. If nothing else, Fewell should have this team as motivated as they’ve ever been in recent years.

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