Chargers to fire Coach Norv Turner, GM A.J. Smith, report says

The Chargers are planning to clean house at the end of the season, firing both Coach Norv Turner and General Manager A.J. Smith, according to a U-T San Diego report.

The report, which appeared Thursday afternoon on the newspaper’s website, quoted unnamed sources who said team owner Dean Spanos decided a month ago to fire Turner but has more recently decided Smith must go too.

The report says Spanos has decided to make the move at the end of the season because that’s his preferred time frame, rather than any faith he might have in the Chargers’ slim chances of making the playoffs.

Further, the report says Spanos has a Smith successor in mind in Jimmy Raye, the current director of player personnel, and Raye’s right-hand man will be Spanos’ son, John, the current director of college scouting. The team will owe Smith $4 million for the remaining two years of his deal and Turner $3 million for his one remaining season.

[Updated, 4:16 p.m.: Spanos later released a statement denying the report.

“There is only one person in this organization who will make those decisions and that’s me, and I haven’t shared my thoughts with anyone,” the statement reads. “I will make my evaluations at the end of the season. Anything coming out now – from sources or otherwise – is pure speculation.”]

The Chargers, who play at Pittsburgh on Sunday, are 4-8 and have lost four in a row. They have missed the playoffs the last two seasons.

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