Norv Turner happy to stay in Bay Area

Here is One FRom Zennie's Backyard.....my thoughts at the end...(Draftnik) BC

49ers happy to retain Turner
Coordinator to get extension
Kevin Lynch, Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, February 9, 2007


The naming of Chargers defensive coordinator Wade Phillips as the Cowboys' head coach set off quiet celebrations from the Bay Area to Hawaii. While 49ers offensive coordinator Norv Turner might be disappointed he didn't get the Cowboys' job after a long and highly-publicized flirtation, the 49ers were pleased.
"It's great, I'm happy for the team," running back Frank Gore said from Hawaii, where he's practicing for Saturday's Pro Bowl. "You can tell from the middle of (last) season to the end, we were scoring points and getting a lot of yards -- doing anything we wanted to do. Now when we go into training camp, there's no more learning. We can just go."
Turner issued a statement through the team.
"I have a great situation with the 49ers, and I'm excited about continuing the progress we made on offense last season," he said. "(Team owner) John York and (coach) Mike Nolan were instrumental in lending their support to me in the interview process in Dallas."
The 49ers will extend and add money to Turner's contract, which was due to expire at the end of the 2007 season.
With Turner staying, the offense doesn't have to adjust to a third offensive coordinator in three years. Turner replaced Mike McCarthy when McCarthy was hired as the Packers head coach, and Turner ditched the 49ers' long-standing West Coast offense for a "digital" scheme.
The offense responded to the more simplified system. The team went from 105.6 in average rushing yards per game to 135.8.
Quarterback Alex Smith went from throwing one touchdown and 11 interceptions to tossing 16 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions while taking every snap.
Smith said Turner, who has tutored Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman, was instrumental in his development. Turner also hatched creative game plans and mixed in a variety of trick plays.
No one is sure of what transpired in Dallas, where Turner appeared to be a front runner after interviewing 12 days ago with owner Jerry Jones, new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and outgoing coach Bill Parcells.
Turner was then captured on television giving a high-five to Jones after both heard the announcement that former Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin won election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. News was also leaked that Turner, who was the Cowboys offensive coordinator when Dallas won consecutive titles in 1992-'93, attended an owners' party during Super Bowl week with Jones.
Turner was actually a guest of host Wayne Huizenga, the owner of the Dolphins, whom he worked for in 2002-'03.
Some reports said Turner differed with Jones over control of the coaching staff and play calling. But a league source said Turner, a Martinez native, was comfortable making demands of Jones because Turner knew he had a good situation with the 49ers.
Gore believes the 49ers can go to another level offensively in 2007.
"I'm happy, real happy, especially with the young team we have, and the young quarterback, the young offense," he said. "All that progress we made toward the end of the year, that's just going to continue. We can just keep playing off of it. We can keep growing, working hard in the offseason, and next year is going to be crazy, just crazy."
Briefly: Gore brought running backs coach Bishop Harris and fullback Moran Norris with him to Hawaii. He also brought family and friends and requested 25 tickets for the game. Guard Larry Allen paid for offensive line coach George Warhop's trip to the islands. ... The 5th annual Crab Cracking Contest at Union Square in San Francisco on Feb. 24 from 3 to 5 p.m. will benefit the 49ers Foundation. Members of the team will demonstrate their crab-cracking acumen during the food-, beer- and wine-tasting festival.


Yes: Norv is a Better OC then he is a head coach. Alex smith is dancing a jig right now he's so happy. This also Sets up the Niners incase Nolan should leave for whatever reason, although I doubt that now....