When Al Davis says, "Just win, baby," it is a command.
Norv Turner had not won in his two seasons as coach of the Oakland Raiders and yesterday he was dismissed, becoming the fifth coach the team's owner has severed since 1996.
Turner's removal had been anticipated. His 2004 team went just 5-11 and in the season just concluded the Raiders (4-12) lost their final six games and eight of their last nine.
The coaching procession in the East Bay began when Mike White was released in 1996 after his second season. After White, Joe Bugel lasted one year, Jon Gruden four and Bill Callahan two.
Under Turner, 53, the Raiders had won just one game against an AFC West rival in two seasons.
Said Turner in a statement: "I wanted to be here, and I appreciate the opportunity. I understand the nature of this business. I wish nothing but the best for the Raiders organization."
Davis had supplied Turner with a cast that included such high-salaried athletes as wide receiver Randy Moss, running back LaMont Jordan and quarterback Kerry Collins, but the team never responded to Turner's leadership.
He was the Washington Redskins' head coach from 1994 through the 13th game of 2000 and has served on the staffs of the then-Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins and the Chargers.
With Turner's dismissal, eight of the 32 coaching positions in the NFL are not filled. There also are vacancies in Kansas City, Minnesota, St. Louis, Houston, Green Bay, New Orleans and Houston.
For most NFL teams, having a coaching vacancy constitutes a problem. For Davis, the situation represents an opportunity. He historically has not acted to fill a vacancy until after he has conducted a series of interviews in which he quizzes candidates concerning the expertise they possess, seeking to add it to his own.
The name most frequently being associated with the appointment Davis must make is that of Jim Fassel. The former New York Giants coach once was the Raiders' quarterbacks coach. Additionally, the names of Mike Martz, Pat Hill, Rick Neuheisel and Art Shell have been brought up.
Martz this week was deposed by the St. Louis Rams. Hill is the coach at Fresno State. Neuheisel is a coaching assistant with the Baltimore Ravens. Shell served the Raiders as head coach from 1989 through 1994, going 56-41.
Around the league
REDSKINS: Assistant Gregg Williams signed a three-year contract to remain with the team, a move that solidifies his status as the heir apparent to head coach Joe Gibbs. FoxSports.com reported that Williams signed a deal worth nearly $8 million.
RAMS: Joe Vitt, 51, who served as interim coach of the team for the last 11 games of the season, checked into a hospital for treatment of a lingering staph infection Monday, a day after his tenure ended and the day head coach Mike Martz was fired. Team President John Shaw said Vitt wasn't a candidate for the head coaching vacancy.
BROWNS: Club President John Collins resigned, ending a late-season power struggle in the team's front office that nearly led to the firing of GM Phil Savage.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Jerry Magee: (619) 293-1830; jerry.magee@uniontrib.com
