Norv Turner to coach San Diego Chargers

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Norv Turner has been hired to be the head coach of the San Diego Chargers.

Turner replaces Marty Schottenheimer, who was fired a week ago after the Chargers went an NFL-best 14-2 in the regular season but lost their first playoff game.

Schottenheimer was given a one-year contract extension after the season but was let go apparently because of friction between the coach and Chargers General Manager A.J. Smith.

Turner was most recently offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers. The Chargers mark his third head coaching assignment, having led the Washington Redskins for seven seasons and the Oakland Raiders for two. He has a 58-82-1 record.

The Chargers interviewed six candidates to replace Schottenheimer, including Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, 49ers assistant Mike Singletary, Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, New Orleans defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs and Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.