Watch News 8 at 5 p.m. for the latest in this developing story.
SAN DIEGO (CNS) - Chargers president Dean Spanos has decided to fire head coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith at the end of the season, the U-T San Diego reported on its website Thursday, citing unnamed sources.
The firing of Turner has been considered by many to be a foregone conclusion, with the team's record slipping to 4-8. The U-T reported that Spanos, whose family owns the team, decided to fire Turner last month and recently determined that Smith had to go as well.
The decision comes amid declining fan support that has resulted in the last two home games being blacked out on Southern California televisions thanks to low ticket sales.
It was also reported that the team's director of player personnel, 17-year Chargers employee Jimmy Raye, is most likely to succeed Smith and be assisted by Spanos' son, John, the club's director of college scouting.
Turner has been criticized by some as an uninspiring head coach despite his reputation as a great offensive coordinator. Smith has come under fire for running off talented veterans and for recent lackluster draft classes.
On Thursday afternoon the Chargers released a statement from Dean Spanos saying:
"There is only one person in this organization who will make those decisions and that's me, and I haven't shared my thoughts with anyone. I will make my evaluations at the end of the season. Anything coming out now - from sources or otherwise - is pure speculation."
The Chargers started the season by winning three of their first four games, but have emerged victorious only once since the end of September. Quarterback Philip Rivers has been hampered by a makeshift offensive line and a series of poorly timed mistakes have allowed opponents to come from behind in the fourth quarter of several contests.
