The Cleveland Browns made it official Thursday, announcing the worst-kept secret in the NFL: Norv Turner is coming aboard as the team's offensive coordinator.
New Browns coach Rob Chudzinkski worked under Turner in San Diego and now has hired his former boss to his staff. It's a coup for Chudzinski to get one of the most experienced offensive minds in the game to work under him. Turner has developed quarterbacks everywhere he has coached and is a noted play-caller. We'd expect Chudzinski to hand play-calling duties to Turner.
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The Browns also named other staff members: Brad Roll (strength & conditioning), Mike Sullivan (offensive line) and Scott Turner (wide receivers). Chris Tabor (special teams coordinator) and George Warhop (offensive line) will be retained from last season's staff.
"Norv has been one of the most respected offensive coaches in the NFL over the last 25 to 30 years, and he has had a tremendous amount of success at each one of his stops -- as a position coach, coordinator and head coach," Chudzinski said in a statement released by the Browns. "I was able to learn a great deal in the time that I worked for him in San Diego, and I expect that having him as our offensive coordinator will make a big impact on that side of the ball."
It speaks well for Chudzinski that Turner respects him enough that he is willing to work under him. Turner had options for jobs elsewhere around the NFL. You can question Turner's ability as a head coach, but he always has been effective as an offensive coordinator. That's why he has been hired as a head coach on three occasions.
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