Turner to charge Bolts
Norv Turner got his third shot at an NFL head coaching job when he was hired Monday by the San Diego Chargers, a week after the surprise firing of Marty Schottenheimer.
The Chargers also signed Ted Cottrell to a two-year contract as defensive coordinator, then added Ron Rivera as linebackers coach just hours after the Chicago Bears said he wouldn’t be back as their defensive coordinator. Rivera had interviewed for the job that went to Turner.
Cottrell, previously a defensive coordinator with Buffalo, the New York Jets and Minnesota, will continue to run the aggressive 3-4 defense installed by Wade Phillips, who left to become head coach in Dallas. Cottrell spent last season working in the league office as an aide to discipline chief Gene Washington.
Turner, the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator, was the only one of the six candidates who’s been an NFL head coach, and the only one from the offensive side of the ball.
He inherits a team that was an NFL-best 14-2 last season but melted down in its playoff opener.
Turner had trouble winning in the regular season, going 58-82-1 in head coaching stints with Washington and Oakland.
Dungy ends rumors of stepping down
Tony Dungy made it clear that he will return to the Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts sideline, quashing any talk that he might step down after becoming the first black coach to win a Super Bowl ring.
“Obviously, you want to come back. You want to defend the title. We’ve got such a great group of guys, that that’s eventually what draws you back every year,” Dungy said in advance of the NFL Scouting Combine.
Brady a soon-to-be daddy
Actress Bridget Moynahan, former girlfriend of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, is more than three months pregnant and Brady is the father, said Moynahan’s publicist.
The pair split up late last year after a three-year relationship. Brady has since been seen with lingerie model Gisele Bundchen, and media outlets have reported the two are dating.
Around the league
The Chicago Bears hired Luke Butkus, nephew of Bears’ Hall of Fame middle linebacker Dick Butkus, as their assistant offensive line coach. … The Indianapolis Colts made defensive end Dwight Freeney their franchise player. … The Carolina Panthers released veteran defensive end Al Wallace. … Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Jonathan Babineaux was arrested by Gwinnett County police in Lawrenceville, Ga., and charged with one count of felony animal abuse. No details were available Monday.