Chargers keeping Norv Turner, A.J. Smith

San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner gestures for a face mask. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” – Albert Einstein

Sssshhhhhh…. don’t share that with Dean Spanos.

The San Diego Chargers president has elected to keep head coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith, the Associated Press reports, despite another underwhelming season and a roster increasingly eroding of talent.

The Chargers finished 8-8 in 2011 but boasted two 4-1 streaks: one at the beginning of the season and one at the end. They lost six straight in between. Clearly that 4-1 finish — combined with knocking the Oakland Raiders out of the playoffs in the season finale — was enough for Spanos to spare his men in charge.

But should it have been? Spanos has a five-year sample from which to draw expectations on his duo, and it’s been more disappointing than promising:

• The Chargers missed the playoffs in both 2011 and 2010.
• In 2008, they made the playoffs with an 8-8 record.
• Their other two years boasted impressive records, but they failed to capitalize on the talent that was once there.
• They still might have the most talented roster in the division, and definitely the most talented quarterback, but fall short of expectations year in, year out.

And while it’s true that there is something to be said for patience in the National Football League (see Smith, Alex), we don’t see that applying to our rivals out west. Even the 49ers had to fire a few coaches to get where they are.

Dean Spanos is simply delaying the inevitable. Another season of Norv and A.J. sounds like another AFC West championship to this Broncos fan. And I’m discount-doublechecking over the news.