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In a stunning announcement Wednesday, the Minnesota Vikings said offensive coordinator Norv Turner has resigned.


Turner, 64, a former NFL head coach, initially won accolades as the Vikings offensive coordinator last year and at the start of this season after the team was forced to bring in Sam Bradford as quarterback following the 


It's not clear what drove the decision, but after a 5-0 start, the team's offense has been dismal the past two games as the Vikings' offensive line struggled to protect Bradford from swarming defenses.

"I obviously didn't see this coming. I was in here yesterday talking to him. I didn't really think anything was different," Bradford said.


Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer called Turner his "right hand man" and told reporters later in the morning he was "very, very surprised" by the resignation and that he wasn't planning to make any coaching changes despite the past two games.


"Norv is a very, very good friend of mine. He's helped me tremendously in the three years that I've been here. He's had an unbelievable career." 


Turner released a statement through the Vikings, stating his "tremendous respect" for Zimmer, the staff and the players and his desire to see them succeed.

"At this time I think it's in the best interest of the team to step down," said Turner, who told ESPN his decision stemmed from differing views with Zimmer about the offensive strategy.

Turner approached Zimmer at Vikings headquarters about 6:30 a.m. They had a long conversation about a variety of subjects.

"I told him my feelings for him and how much that I respect him and the things that he's done and the things that he's continued to do and how hard he was trying to get it going. He was pretty set in his ideas and his reasons, and I hope that we'll always continue to be friends," Zimmer said.

Tight ends coach Pat Shurmur will serve as interim offensive coordinator, the team said.


This was Turner's 33rd season coaching in the NFL. He had 15 seasons as a head coach. As offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, he helped the team win Super Bowl XXVII. He was in his third year as offensive coordinator for the Vikings.

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Associated Press

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MPR News Staff

The move follows two games where the Vikings offense fell flat after a 5-0 start. Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said he was "very, very surprised" by Turner's resignation.

Vikings offensive coach Norv Turner quits; no friction, says Zimmer

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