Bill Belichick is in the midst of putting together his first staff in Chapel Hill and it appears they zeroed in on the offensive coordinator he wants.
On Sunday morning, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport reported that longtime NFL offensive coordinator Scott Turner has emerged as Belichick's top target for that same position on his first college staff.
Turner, the son of legendary offensive mind Norv Turner, is currently the interim offensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders after spending a year and a half as the passing game coordinator. The passing game for the Raiders has taken a major step forward since Turner took over but is still struggling to score which has been an issue the entire season.
Before arriving in Oakland, Turner spent the previous three seasons as the offensive coordinator of the Washington Football Team under head coach Ron Rivera. During those three seasons, the team’s offense averaged just 19.8 points per game and 323.9 total yards of offense, both of which ranked in the bottom half of the league during that span.
Turner’s other NFL stops included the Carolina Panthers (2018-19 QBs coach, 2011-12 offensive quality control coach), Minnesota Vikings (2014-16 quarterbacks coach) and Cleveland Browns (2013 wide receivers coach). Turner has spent time at the college level with Michigan (2017 offensive analyst), Pittsburgh (2010 wide receivers coach, 2008-09 offensive analyst) and Oregon State (2005 graduate assistant).
This is a guy who fits what Bill Belichick is looking for when it comes to blending the college and NFL games but would be far from the most exciting hire. While that NFL play calling experience is a plus, the track record as a coordinator at the NFL level makes you wonder if stepping down to the college level would actually allow him to find the success that hasn’t been there so far at the professional level.