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Chargers Head Coach Norv Turner answered affirmatively when asked if the 2009 season has been the most rewarding of his career, citing contributions from his entire roster of players, the quality job of his assistants, the MVP-caliber play of his quarterback and the overall maturity level of his team.

Later when he was asked if he believes he should be considered for NFL Coach of the Year, Turner deferred on the topic. However there are plenty of people around Chargers Park more than happy to sing Turner’s praises.

“No doubt he should be considered,” safety Eric Weddle said of Turner’s candidacy for Coach of the Year. “In our eyes he’s done an amazing job getting us in the right direction and putting us in the position we’re in today. He should be recognized and hopefully he’ll get the notoriety that he deserves.”

Like he has in each of his three seasons in San Diego, Turner has dealt with adversity early and come out holding an AFC West title. Nationally, Turner may be getting more attention than he has in past Januarys, but the things that have impressed quarterback Philip Rivers most about his coach are characteristics that Turner has shown throughout his tenure in San Diego.

“As he’s done really every year, the steadiness, the never-flinch leadership and attitude that he coaches with have allowed us to bounce back from a 4-8, bounce back from a 2-3 and stay on the ground enjoying an 11-game win streak,” Rivers said. “We never get too much on a high or too much on a low. It’s a steady, very grounded, focused approach.”

Injuries were a major reason why the Chargers were forced to bounce back from an early season hole this year, and players laud the way Turner handled some tough situations. In all, 61 different players have seen game action for the Chargers.

That number is so large due in part to the rash of injuries the team suffered, particularly early in the year. Pro Bowl center Nick Hardwick and Jamal Williams went down early in the season. Seven players who were major contributors in either 2008 or 2009 landed on “Reserve-Injured,” and the team started five different offensive line combinations. Still, the Chargers didn’t miss a beat during the final 11 weeks of the season.

Through a 2-3 start that left the Chargers 3 ½ games behind the Broncos in the division, Turner refused to make knee-jerk reactions and change his course of action. Chargers President Dean Spanos recently said that Turner’s consistency has helped him thrive in San Diego, and Turner’s players recognize that as well.

“I don’t think enough credit goes towards that at times,” defensive end Luis Castillo said. “You look at some of the peaks and some of the valleys and the most important thing you can say about the guy is that he’s kept us going in the same direction. Whether we are going through some tough times or we are doing really well, there’s always been the mentality that we are going to keep our heads down and we are going to get better. No matter what, that mentality is the same and the approach is the same.”

Turner has managed the locker room, led his men and endeared himself to his players with his keen sense of leadership and witty sense of humor that often lightens the mood. Then there’s also the football acumen that has made Turner one of the most respected schemers in the NFL.

In 2009, Rivers set a new career high in passing yards while tying his career low with nine interceptions. Antonio Gates set a new career high in receiving yards, while Vincent Jackson achieved new personal bests in catches, yards and touchdown receptions. Legedu Naanee and Malcom Floyd also grew and made strides, as did Darren Sproles (45 receptions) and Mike Tolbert.

The Chargers finished fourth in the NFL in scoring. They put up at least 20 points in each of their games and, including the postseason, have done so in 22-straight games, the longest active streak in the NFL.

Defensively, the Chargers were 11^th in points allowed. They improved to 11^th in passing defense after finishing 31^st in 2008. A total of 16 different players logged at least one sack, and Shaun Phillips set a team record with seven forced fumbles.

And the Chargers’ special teams shined once again under Turner and his staff. Nate Kaeding set a franchise record for accuracy and points in a season. He made another Pro Bowl along with Kassim Osgood, and Mike Scifres averaged 45 yards per punt in a year highlighted by just two touchbacks in 52 kicks.

San Diego’s 13 wins were the second most in franchise history. The Chargers were 7-1 on the road, 8-1 in games decided by eight points or less and won four games by 25 points or more. On four separate occasions, the Chargers logged a game-winning score in the final 35 seconds of the fourth quarter.

Two other times, Turner and company perfectly executed the clock to finish teams off. In Dallas, the Chargers capped a 7:17 drive with a field goal that put them up 10 with 1:56 remaining. Against Philadelphia, a 6:42 drive led to a field goal with 30 second left, leaving the Eagles no time to tie the eight-point deficit.

“He has had a plan for every situation we’ve gone through,” running back LaDainian Tomlinson said. “We’re probably as well prepared as we’ve ever been, this year. That’s a testament to Norv’s game plan up until now and his game plan for the next few weeks. That’s where he’s done his best job.”

When questioned again about the Coach of the Year award Monday, Turner deferred to the bigger picture, stating that his focus is on the upcoming postseason.

“I know that we’ve put ourselves in this position and we want to go make the most of it,” Turner said.

Turner is a major reason why they’ll have an opportunity to do so, whether he’ll admit it or not.