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'I'm not going to resign' Turner denies reports he may leave Redskins
Posted: Tuesday December 21, 1999 08:32 PM
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Washington Redskins coach Norv Turner denied reports that he is considering quitting his job even if his team makes the NFL playoffs. "I'm not going to resign," Turner told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Both The Fairfax Journal and The Washington Times reported Monday that Turner was growing weary of new owner Dan Snyder's hands-on approach to running the team. The two papers said Turner would resign by accepting a buyout of his contract, which runs through the end of the 2001 season. Snyder declined to comment. This season has been stressful for Turner, who has a 40-53-1 record and failed to reach the postseason in his first five years in Washington. Snyder, who purchased the team in July, made clear from the outset that Turner would be fired if the Redskins fail to make the playoffs. "There's been speculation about my future since the beginning of training camp," Turner said. "It's been pretty well spelled out." One of Snyder's first moves was to oust longtime general manager Charley Casserly and give Turner full control over player personnel decisions, but Snyder has kept a close rein on his coach. The 35-year-old owner held up post-game routines by pulling Turner aside for an unprecedented half-hour meeting in a trainer's room immediately after a loss at Dallas and met with five veteran players to help get the team focused before a crucial game against Arizona. Snyder also attends practice regularly, much more often than previous owner Jack Kent Cooke or his son, John Kent Cooke, both of whom had a hands-off approach toward players and coaches. Although the meetings with the players before the Arizona game took place with Turner's knowledge and permission, they appeared to undermine his authority as coach. The day after the game, Turner hedged when asked it that was the case. "I don't know that I'd be sitting here talking about it if I felt it was," Turner said. "Certainly in terms of everything I understand, that was not the case." On Tuesday, Turner played down the notion that he is finding this season particularly taxing because of Snyder's presence. "Every season in this league is demanding and draining," Turner said. "There's going to be ups and downs." Ironically, Turner could have the biggest "up" in his career Sunday. The Redskins (8-6) will earn their first postseason berth since 1992 if they defeat the San Francisco 49ers. "That's why you coach," Turner said. "Not only to get in the playoffs, but to win when you get there. We've been working to get to this point, to get to a game that gets us there. Now we have to find a way to win it."
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