San Diego ? The San Diego Chargers certainly were aware Norv Turner was 24 games under .500 and made only one playoff appearance in his nine seasons as an NFL head coach.

It didn’t scare them off in the slightest.

Turner got his third shot at a top job when he was given a four-year contract Monday to take over a team that went an NFL-best 14-2 before melting down in the playoffs and then in the front office.

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.

The Chargers also hired Ted Cottrell as defensive coordinator.

While the immediate reaction by fans was lukewarm, the Chargers pointed to Turner’s previous experience and the chance at continuity. Turner was San Diego’s offensive coordinator in 2001, when he installed the system that helped carry LaDainian Tomlinson to the league MVP award in 2006.

“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.”

Turner has done well working with young players, and quarterback Philip Rivers is expected to benefit from his tutelage. Rivers was voted to the Pro Bowl as a first-year starter, but tailed off down the stretch.

Turner also knows general manager A.J. Smith, who was an assistant to the late John Butler in 2001. Smith survived a power struggle with Schottenheimer, who was fired last Monday by team president Dean Spanos, who cited a “dysfunctional situation” between the coach and GM.

Turner said he spoke with a handful of players Monday morning and they seemed relieved there wouldn’t be major changes.

“Everyone I talked to today said one central thing: We want to win a championship,” Turner said. “We’ve been talking about it ever since I had the opportunity to interview. If it happens, it would be a heck of a deal for all of us.”

Rivera to join San DIego

Lake Forest, Ill. – Chicago defensive coordinator Ron Rivera was out of a job, but not for long. Just hours after the Bears announced Monday he wouldn’t be retained, the San Diego Chargers gave him a two-year contract to coach their linebackers.

Freeney gets franchise tag

Indianapolis – The Indianapolis Colts made defensive end Dwight Freeney their franchise player Monday, keeping him with the Super Bowl champions for at least one more season while they work on a long-term contract.

Packers sign 5 free agents

Green Bay, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers signed five free agents, including four defensive players, Monday.

The team signed linebackers Tim Goodwell and Marcus Randall, cornerback Antonio Malone, defensive tackle Devarick Scandrett and punter David Lonie.