HENDERSON, Nev. — The new interim offensive coordinator for the Raiders, Scott Turner, began his press conference on Thursday by paying tribute to the late John Robinson, a revered figure in college and NFL coaching, who passed away on Monday at the age of 89.
Turner played quarterback under Robinson while attending UNLV in the early 2000s, a time when there were no hints of the Raiders relocating to Las Vegas from Oakland.
Robinson provided Turner with an opportunity at UNLV, paralleling the current chance he’s receiving from Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce, just a short distance from the university’s campus.
“The only thing I really asked for was if we could have my dad come just for some help,” he said.
Pierce welcomed this request, recalling his encounters with Norv Turner, Scott’s father, during his playing career with the Washington and New York Giants.
Norv Turner, who struggled as the Raiders’ head coach with a record of 9-23 during his tenure in 2004-05, now serves as a senior adviser and lives with Scott and his family, providing them with a platform to exchange ideas frequently.
The performance of the Las Vegas offense has been underwhelming this season, ranking 29th in total yards (280.2 per game), dead last in rushing (76.9), and 25th in scoring (18.7 points per game).
As the Raiders prepare to face the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, they hold a disappointing 2-7 record, having used their recent bye week to execute significant staff changes.
This overhaul included the departure of offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, quarterbacks coach Rich Scangarello, and offensive line coach James Cregg. Alongside his responsibilities as offensive coordinator, Turner has now taken over the quarterbacks coach position, while former Dolphins coach Joe Philbin will supervise the offensive line.
“I’m not going to make promises,” Pierce stated. “We just wanted a change, a spark, and some fresh ideas.”
For Turner, this marks his second opportunity to serve as an offensive coordinator. Previously, he held this position with Washington from 2020 to 2022, where the team often struggled, ranking in the lower tier for scoring before his dismissal. Notably, during his time there, eight quarterbacks took snaps for the team.
“I told the guys, ‘This league is about adversity, and that’s something you learn,’” Turner remarked. “I experienced that in Washington; I was the coordinator for three years, and it didn’t work out. Now, I’m getting another chance, and I’m eager to collaborate with our players to help them perform at their highest potential.”
However, it remains uncertain how many adjustments Turner can make to enhance the offensive playbook. The current roster does not particularly exude playoff aspirations, compounded by various injuries among the offensive line, which has hindered progress without a standout quarterback or a reliable running game.
Nevertheless, there are some bright spots; rookie Brock Bowers has quickly become one of the league’s leading tight ends, Jakobi Meyers has shown promise as a receiver, and several offensive linemen have performed well individually.
Turner has eight games to strategize on how to maximize this talent.
“We will keep the same terminology and the core aspects of the offense,” said quarterback Gardner Minshew. “I think the approach to calling the game might shift slightly, giving it a different flavor. We’ll see how that evolves as we proceed.”
Ultimately, Turner, while reflecting on his previous experiences, never envisioned being back in Las Vegas as an NFL offensive coordinator when he was backing up Shane Steichen at UNLV. The two developed a close relationship during their playing days and even participated in each other’s weddings.
Steichen has also advanced in his coaching career, having been the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, leading them to a Super Bowl appearance two seasons ago before landing a head coaching position with the Indianapolis Colts.
Both Turner and Steichen were influenced by Robinson, who left a lasting impact on their coaching careers. Turner noted how Robinson’s success in establishing formidable running games made a significant impression on him, along with his focus on nurturing healthy relationships with players, regardless of their backgrounds.
“I learned from him how much he truly cared about every player on the team,” Turner said. “Whether a walk-on or a top recruit, he took the time to build relationships to help them reach their fullest potential. That’s the essence of coaching and the reason we pursue this profession.”
