Chargers fire coach Norv Turner, GM A.J. Smith

• Bolts had gone .500 since last winning AFC West in 2009
• Shine off golden touch of Smith, who failed to keep key players
• Philip Rivers' play has declined with team's fortunes

After years of bleeding voltage, the San Diego Chargers have unplugged head coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith.

Both men were fired Monday afternoon following a third consecutive season that fell short of the playoffs.

"I thank A.J. and Norv for the determination and integrity they brought to the Chargers each and every day," team president Dean Spanos said in a statement. "Both Norv and A.J. are consummate NFL professionals, and they understand that in this league, the bottom-line is winning. My only goal is the Super Bowl, and that is why I have decided to move in a new direction with both our head coach and general manager positions. I am committed to our great fans, and we will do whatever we possibly can to achieve that goal."

The Chargers' roster was once the envy of the NFL, as Smith stockpiled Pro Bowlers and young talents who consistently drove the team to four consecutive AFC West crowns from 2006 to 2009.

However Smith's drafts grew incrementally weaker, and his hardball negotiating tactics alienated many players. The team's demise in recent years coincided with the free agent departures of Darren Sproles and Vincent Jackson and an eroding offensive line which Turner lamented. Smith tried to caulk the cracks through the draft and by adding veterans such as Jarret Johnson, Jared Gaither, Robert Meachem, Eddie Royal and others. Most of those gambits failed.

Turner took over in 2007 after Marty Schottenheimer led the team to a 14-2 mark in 2006 before losing a power struggle with Smith. Turner led San Diego to the AFC Championship Game that year but won only one more playoff game in the subsequent seasons.

The Chargers' next coach will inherit a quarterback, Philip Rivers, who has transformed from franchise cornerstone to turnover machine the past two seasons while operating behind those suspect blockers. The offensive skill players are a mishmash of decent veterans (Malcom Floyd, Nick Hardwick), apparently fading superstars (Antonio Gates, Rivers), an intriguing project (Danario Alexander) and youngsters who have plenty to prove (Ryan Mathews, Vincent Brown).

The defense improved under coordinator John Pagano and seems to have several nice building blocks.

Though Turner (118-126-1), who has also served as head coach for the Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders, may not get another top job in the league, it would be little surprise if he was quickly scooped up by another team's staff given his acumen as an offensive coordinator.