It looks like the Vikings have finalized an agreement with an offensive coordinator.
CBS Sports reports the Vikings have finalized a deal with Norv Turner to serve as the offensive coordinator under new coach Mike Zimmer.
Turner has 29 years of coaching experience in the NFL; 15 of them as an NFL head coach. Turner comes to Minnesota from Cleveland, where he spent last season as the offensive coordinator for the Browns.
Turner spoke on Thursday and said there was a “good chance” he would lead the Vikings offense.
The Pioneer Press reports the move is lauded by former Washington Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann.
“I think he’s terrific,” Theismann said. “I think so much of what Norv Turner does, he’s been able to develop off the play-action passing game. For as creative as he is as a passing coach, I think he understands the running game as much as anyone.”
The Cleveland Plains Dealer says Vikings running back Adrian Peterson should flourish under Turner, much the same as both Emmitt Smith and LaDanian Tomlinson did.
Prior to joining the Browns in 2013, Turner spent the previous six seasons as the Chargers’ head coach. He also was the head coach for Washington from 1994 through 2000 and the Raiders head coach from 2004 through 2005.
As an offensive coordinator Turner has had a lot of success.
He was offensive coordinator with the Cowboys from 1991-1993. He also was the offensive coordinator in San Diego in 2001, Miami in 2002-2003 and San Francisco in 2006.
According to the Plains Dealer, Turner was instrumental in success of receiver Josh Gordon, who led the NFL in receiving with 1,646 yards. Gordon played in just 14 games this season after serving a two game suspension to open the season.
