Considered by some to be the safe pick to take over the San Diego Chargers, Norv Turner at least is starting in much better position than he did in his previous two NFL head coaching jobs.

Turner was given a four-year contract to take over a team that went an NFL-best 14-2 before melting down in the playoffs and then in the front office.

"This isn't a team where you're rebuilding," said Turner, who had been San Francisco's offensive coordinator. "We should start fast. We should be good early and we should be good late. Not having to go through the normal things you have to go through when you make a coaching change is going to help the players more than anyone."

The hiring came a week after the surprise firing of Marty Schottenheimer and less than 24 hours after the Chargers finished interviewing the last of six candidates. Turner was the only one with NFL head coaching experience and the only one from the offensive side of the ball.