The San Diego Chargers may be keeping Norv Turner but they’ll have to fill at least one vacancy on the staff.
Clarence Shelmon, who has spent ten seasons with San Diego and 21 in the NFL, has resigned as offensive coordinator of the Chargers. Shelmon (along with John Pagano) had been the longest-tenured assistant coach in the league.
Shelmon has said that he plans to move on from football, taking more time to spend with his family and travel with his wife. Despite leaving the game, he also expressed pride in what he as accomplished in his time with San Diego:
“We changed the culture here. (In 2000), the Chargers were 1-15. We went 8-8 and just missed the playoffs my first year in 2002. From that time on, I’ve seen the team get better and better.”
Although Turner has been in charge of play-calling for the Bolts, Shelmon played an important role in the development of the running backs. Throughout his 37 year coaching career he has worked with the likes of LaDainian Tomlinson, Emmitt Smith and Chris Warren. His experience in the run game melded with Turner’s passing philosophy proved to be a winning combination.
“We’ve done it both ways. I primarily made my name as being a good running coach and developing backs. We were able to be one of the better teams running the ball. Then when Norv came in, we went to the AFC Championship and added more to the passing game, yet we’ve been able to run the ball fairly well. We bridged the two philosophies, I think, quite well. I’m proud of the small part I’ve played in it.”
It is not clear at this time who will replace Shelmon, though Kevin Acee of the Union-Tribune speculates that the replacement hire is very likely to come from within the organization.
