Coaching News

-In a surprising move this morning, San Diego Chargers head coach Norv Turner fired receivers coach James Lofton the San Diego Union Tribune reported. "I don't have any idea," Lofton said when asked why he was fired. "I was stunned. He just said he was going in a different direction." Lofton, 51, was hired in 2002. The Hall of Famer, who played from 1978-93, has nurtured Chargers receivers Vincent Jackson, Eric Parker and this season worked with Chris Chambers, who recently said, "He's one of the greatest receiving coaches in the game."

-Mike Holmgren is coming back to the Seattle Seahawks for one last season according to the Seattle Times. He confirmed that this afternoon in a news conference at team headquarters, ending all questions about his immediate future. He said the 2008 season will be his last as coach. Holmgren also announced Tuesday that offensive line assistant coach Keith Gilbertson will become receivers coach, replacing Nolan Cromwell. Cromwell left to become offensive coordinator at Texas A&M. Another Seahawks assistant, quality-control coach Gary Reynolds, will also join the Aggies staff as an assistant to coach Mike Sherman.

-Coach Lane Kiffin has discovered he me may the the head coach of the Oakland Raiders but Al Davis runs all things black and silver. Citing a league source, Profootballtalk.com is reporting Kiffin and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan are not on speaking terms. Davis wants Ryan. Kiffin doesn't. Several weeks ago, there were reports that the Raiders were preparing to fire Ryan. It also was reported that Ryan would be landing with the New York Jets. The team issued a strong denial, and all has been quiet since then. It could be that Kiffin is in trouble, and that Davis is waiting for the dust to settle as to other head-coaching jobs or offensive coordinator positions at the NFL and NCAA level before cutting Kiffin loose.

Sources- Profootballtalk.com, Yahoo Sports