ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, March 5, 1997 TAG: 9703050095
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: ASHBURN
SOURCE: Associated Press
Norv Turner was given additional job security as coach of the NFL's Washington Redskins on Tuesday when he signed a three-year contract extension.
Turner, 44, reportedly was signed to a five-year, $3 million deal in 1994. The extension, for an undisclosed sum, takes Turner through the 2001 season.
``From my standpoint, you look around and see a couple of situations this year where coaches decided for whatever reason they wanted to be somewhere different. Hey, I want to be here,'' Turner said. ``Jack Kent Cooke has shown he wants me to be here. So, we worked something out.''
Cooke, the team's owner, needed less than two months to work on the renegotiated contract. He reiterated Tuesday in a statement released by the team that as long as he is the owner, Turner will be the Redskins' coach.
``In my experience in professional sports, I have not met a more talented coach and motivator of men than Norv,'' Cooke said in the release.
``Norv and I are convinced that with the opening of the Redskins' new stadium, the Redskins face an era of success not dissimilar to that which brought much glory to the great Redskin teams of the '80s.''
Turner's teams have improved from 3-13 in 1994 to 6-10 in 1995 and 9-7 this past season. But in 1996, they were 7-1 before losing six of their last eight games.
Turner will take the team into a new stadium being built in suburban Maryland.
The last time the Redskins made the playoffs was 1992 in Joe Gibbs' final season. Turner replaced Richie Petitbon, who went 4-12 in his one season.
Turner's extension is one of many coaching moves the team has made this off-season.
The Redskins have overhauled their defensive staff after the team finished 28th among 30 teams in total defense. Mike Nolan, defensive coordinator with the New York Giants for the past four years, takes over the Washington defense. Other new defensive coaches are line coach Earl Leggett, linebackers coach Dale Lindsey and assistant coach-administrative assistant LeCharles Lindsey.
On the offensive side, Russ Grimm has moved from tight ends coach to offensive line coach. Mike Pope replaces Grimm, and Mike Marts takes over as quarterbacks coach.
``This really establishes a continuity. I think every distraction you can remove helps a football team,'' Turner said. ``Our football team will be able to focus on what we have to do to get better.''
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines KEYWORDS: FOOTBALLby CNB