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Panthers name Norv Turner offensive coordinator

By Brandon Scott

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Norv Turner of the San Diego Chargers on the sidelines during a 24-21 win over the Oakland Raiders to end a 6-10 season at Qualcomm Stadium on December 30, 2012 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Norv Turner of the San Diego Chargers on the sidelines during a 24-21 win over the Oakland Raiders to end a 6-10 season at Qualcomm Stadium on December 30, 2012 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Carolina Panthers have a new offensive coordinator for the 2018 season…

After announcing their wouldn’t be any changes to his staff unless someone left for a position elsewhere, Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera fired offensive coordinator Mike Shula and quarterback coach Ken Dorsey.

The move was somewhat surprising, given Rivera’s comments and traditional loyalty to his assistants. However, after losing a third straight game to New Orleans and failing to advance from the wild card playoffs, Rivera said a change was needed in order to reach the next level.

Making the playoffs in four of the past five seasons, that level is winning the Super Bowl and bringing a Lombardi Trophy to the Carolinas. Without much hesitation and very few, if any, interviews of other candidates former head coach and long time offensive innovator Norv Turner was targeted by Rivera.

Turner last served as offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings before abruptly resigning after just seven games. The Vikings began the season with five consecutive wins, including one over Carolina, before dropping two and leading to Turner walking away from football. Minnesota finished the season with an even 8-8 record.

Last year was the first football season since 1975 that Turner wasn’t coaching at either the collegiate or professional level. When leaving the Vikings, Turner offered the following comments about any potential return to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

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"“I haven’t made a decision. (My wife) Nancy and I say, ‘Let’s get to January and see where we are.’ That’s been the case the last two to three years. But this has been a challenge for my wife. Cleveland, then Minnesota … and we have a house five minutes from the ocean (in California) … At 64 years old, if you continue, it would need to be a right place and with the right people.”"

Now 65 years old, Turner is returning to the state he was born in across the country from California. Reuniting with Rivera, who served as Turner’s defensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers, the two have a history and Carolina provided a unique opportunity.

Turner’s son, Scott, who is the quarterback coach for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan is expected to join his father with the Panthers. Also, Turner’s brother was already serving as an offensive consultant to the team in addition to his nephew, Cameron, assisting with quarterbacks.

Next: 2018 Home Opponents Preview

Whether the family affair translates into success remains to be seen but expectations are high for this group as they lead franchise quarterback Cam Newton and the offense into 2018.

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