The Redskins announced that they have hired Bobby Turner to be the running backs coach, and assistant head coach. The move reunites Mike Shanahan with the assistant who helped the Denver Broncos produce more rushing yards than any team in the league since Turner joined them in 1995.
Originally the Broncos denied Washington permission to speak to Turner, but they rescinded their denial earlier this week. Likely because it wouldn’t really have mattered anyway, since Turner was given the additional title of assistant head coach, and a sizable raise to back up that promotion.
Turner establish one of the top ground games in the NFL in Denver, and coached six different players to 1,000-plus yard seasons – including Clinton Portis. The other running backs were Mike Anderson, Tatum Bell, Terrell Davis, Reuben Droughns, and Olandis Gary. The Broncos had 11 individual 1,000-yard rushing seasons during Turner’s tenure, including (an NFL-record) four-year streak from 2003-2006 of having different running backs achieve the feat.
A statement issued by Shanahan said that, “Not many coaches can match the success that Bobby has had over the years. He is one of the top coaches in the NFL and, more importantly, a great person. We are excited to have him on the staff here in Washington. He will play a major role in the development of our offense.”