Two more former NFL assistants found homes on Stanford University's coaching staff.
The school announced Wednesday that former Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner will coach quarterbacks and wide receivers and ex-Minnesota Vikings assistant Derek Mason will tutor defensive backs.
Turner, who has head-coaching experience at San Jose State (1992) and Illinois (1997-2004), was Stanford's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 1989 to 1991. During his nine years over two separate stints with the Bears (1993-96; 2005-09), Turner directed six of the top 24 offenses in franchise history, but he was fired last month.
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Stanford coach Jim Harbaughplayed quarterback under Turner in Chicago in 1993.
"Ron brings an unmatched level of professionalism and experience," Harbaugh said in a statement released by Stanford. "Ron cares for the welfare of his players and treats them with respect, not only while together but also after their playing days are over -- something I learned firsthand in Chicago while he was my coach and friend. Two decades later, he remains a mentor.
"Ron is a teacher and expert of the game. I am excited for our players to be exposed to his teaching, as well as his fresh ideas and concepts on offense."
Mason spent the last three seasons as the Vikings' assistant defensive backs coach. It was his first NFL job after 13 years in the college ranks.
"Though I have never previously worked or played with Derek, that does not have to be a prerequisite for finding a great coach," Harbaugh said. "The hiring of Derek, as with all of the new additions on this staff, has been the product of diligent and exhaustive research and a true team effort by our staff and coaches to identify the best coaches we could bring to Stanford. ... I feel very confident that we hired the best secondary coach for Stanford in the country."
Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh hired former Baltimore Ravens linebackers coach Vic Fangio as his defensive coordinator earlier this month. Ravens coach John Harbaugh is Jim Harbaugh's older brother.
Fangio was a defensive coordinator in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers (1995-98), Indianapolis Colts (1999-2001) and Houston Texans (2002-05).
Earlier this offseason, Stanford also hired special teams coordinator Brian Polian, the son of Colts president Bill Polian.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
