CHICAGO, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- The Chicago Bears fired offensive coordinator Ron Turner and five other offensive assistant coaches Tuesday.
Joining Turner on the way out were quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton, offensive line coach Harry Hiestand, tight ends coach Rob Boras, assistant offensive line coach Luke Butkus and assistant wide receivers coach Charles London.
Bears owner Virginia McCaskey said in a statement: "The decisions outlined today have full support of ownership. We believe in the people who are in place to lead our football team."
Turner was fired from his second stint as Chicago's offensive coordinator, this one a five-year stretch. The team's offense sputtered under new quarterback Jay Cutler, finishing 23rd overall in total offense and just 29th out of 32 NFL teams in rushing.
Head coach Lovie Smith's job was also thought in danger, but wins over Minnesota and Detroit in the final two games enabled the Bears to finish at 7-9, perhaps saving his leadership role with the team.
