Schottenheimer fired!

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Chargers head coach Schottenheimer fired
ESPN.com news services

SAN DIEGO -- Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer was fired Monday night in a shocking move by team president Dean Spanos, who cited a "dysfunctional situation" between the coach and general manager A.J. Smith.

The move was first reported by ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

Less than a month after San Diego's NFL-best 14-2 season was wrecked in a playoff loss to New England, Spanos cited the exodus of both coordinators and other assistants in firing Schottenheimer, who had a year left on his contact.

"This decision was so hard because Marty has been both a friend and valued coach of our team," Spanos said in a statement. "But my first obligation is always to do what is in the best interest of our fans and the entire Charger organization. I must take whatever steps are necessary to deliver a Super Bowl trophy to San Diego. Events of the last month have now convinced me that it is not possible for our organization to function at a championship level under the current structure. On the contrary, and in the plainest possible language, we have a dysfunctional situation here. Today I am resolving that situation once and for all."

Mortensen reported that Spanos told Schottenheimer on Monday that it wasn't going to work between him and Smith.

Spanos indicated in the statement that the Chargers will pay Schottenheimer for the last year of his contract.

Three days after the Chargers' playoff meltdown Spanos decided that bringing Schottenheimer back for the final year of his contract gave San Diego its best chance to win.

"Our fans deserve to know what changed for me over the last month," Spanos said in the statement. "When I decided to move ahead with Marty Schottenheimer in mid-January, I did so with the expectation that the core of his fine coaching staff would remain intact. Unfortunately, that did not prove to be the case, and the process of dealing with these coaching changes convinced me that we simply could not move forward with such dysfunction between our head coach and general manager. In short, this entire process over the last month convinced me beyond any doubt that I had to act to change this untenable situation and create an environment where everyone at Charger Park would be pulling in the same direction and working at a championship level."

When the Chargers decided to bring him back, Schottenheimer raised eyebrows by declining the team's offer of a one-year extension for 2008 worth $4.5 million, with a $1 million buyout.

"Right now, I wasn't comfortable accepting it," Schottenheimer told The Associated Press shortly after the season. He would have earned more than $3 million in 2007.

With a regular-season record of 200-126-1 with Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington and San Diego, Schottenheimer is the most successful coach never to have reached the Super Bowl.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2763552

[Extra Stout]

San Diego is now a lock to win Super Bowl XLII.

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

Well, much like a race to take a vow of celibacy, Fillmoe has beaten me by a large margin.

[Vinnie_Johnson]

Chargers this was a huge blunder no coaching staff and it's Feb.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Solid timing.

[TheSanityAnnex]

Shit between Marty and AJ really must have been as bad as I heard. Parcells or Cowher would be a nice replacement. Ron Rivera maybe? I'm not too worried about this move. Spanos must have someone in mind.

[ShoogarBear]

Marty sucks in the playoffs, but damn do the Chargers really think that they are now going to be in a better position next year by completely overhauling the coaching staff?

[J.T.]

Marty sucks in the playoffs, but damn do the Chargers really think that they are now going to be in a better position next year by completely overhauling the coaching staff?

Probably not because there isn't really anyone out there who can come in and make them any better than they are, but of course Charger fans will have pipedreams of getting Parcells and Cowher. That they lost the head coach and both coordinators is a big blow. But I'm sure TSA will be here in a minute to tell us how the Chargers could make XLII with Trent Dilfer, Ron Dayne and nine construction workers. Homervision lol.

[TheSanityAnnex]

Probably not because there isn't really anyone out there who can come in and make them any better than they are, but of course Charger fans will have pipedreams of getting Parcells and Cowher. That they lost the head coach and both coordinators is a big blow.
Cowher could be considered a pipedream, but Parcells isn't too far fetched. Chow would be an interesting pic.

[slayermin]

Wow. Parcells could easily get his third ring in San Diego. It would be like Phil Jackson going to the Lakers in 2000.

[ShoogarBear]

Could Parcells sign with someone immediately? Didn't he have a year left on his Cowboys' contract?

[JMarkJohns]

I've heard that AJ Smith fired Marty because of conflict amongst the coaching staff and players. If Smith can't get along with Marty, how is he going to get along with Parcells?

Still, that said, it's a perfect scenerio for Bill and enough of one where, if you're the Chargers owner, you think long and hard about firing Smith and hiring the Tuna as GM and coach. Even if it's just for two or three years, they'd likely be the favorites each year.

[Fabbs]

Marty sucks in the playoffs, but damn do the Chargers really think that they are now going to be in a better position next year by completely overhauling the coaching staff?
A smart coach knows this is a great "problem" to have. Chargers still have one of if not the best rosters in the NFL. Dipstick Shot was a lock to lose in the playoffs so no matter how you slice it it's a step up.

Yes i think they have someone in mind all the way.

[IceColdBrewski]

I know Marty is hard to deal with, but I can't imagine that this is in the teams best interest.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

It has to be someone with head coaching experience in the NFL.

Dennis Green? Are the Chargers who he thought they were?

No one else makes sense.

Rivera and Chow? Do you really want to hand a 14-2 team to a coach with no HC experience and who's never built a staff?

Cowher and Parcells? They would probably want more control than Smith would be willing to give.

Who else is there? Mariucci?

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

.

Martz would make SD very, very scary and me very, very sad.

[Fillmoe]

damn you JB..... you stole my thread...... i knew i should have made a simpler title

[TheSanityAnnex]

Too bad Jeff Fisher couldn't be had.
Gruden would be nice as well.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

NFL Network said Martz, Mooch, Singletary, Grimm and Norv Turner.

[Pistons < Spurs]

damn you JB..... you stole my thread...... i knew i should have made a simpler title
LOL yes you should have!

I was going to start a new thread too until I realized what your title was about.

[slayermin]

San Diego needs a playmaking wideout. That would make them unstoppable.

Imagine Randy Moss in Charger land.

[TheSanityAnnex]

NFL Network said Martz, Mooch, Singletary, Grimm and Norv Turner.Are the Chargers saying this, or are the analysts predicting this?

[T Park]

go ahead and hire mike martz if you want a horrible defense.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

go ahead and hire mike martz if you want a horrible defense.


I guess Lovie Smith is a horrible defensive coach too, eh?

[J.T.]

I guess Lovie Smith is a horrible defensive coach too, eh?

Well, the D did give up 29 to the Colts after talking shit for two weeks about how nobody thought they were worth a damn when that ended up being true. And playing in the NFC North does wonders to stuff their stats.

[T-Pain]

chargers just made one of the biggest mistakes in their franchises history. it wasnt his damn fault his kickers couldnt get it done in the clutch

[Fillmoe]

chargers just made one of the biggest mistakes in their franchises history. it wasnt his damn fault his kickers couldnt get it done in the clutch


you are talking about the franchise that drafted ryan leaf and let drew brees go...... a nobody ass franchise that will never win shit!

[slayermin]

Well, the D did give up 29 to the Colts after talking shit for two weeks about how nobody thought they were worth a damn when that ended up being true. And playing in the NFC North does wonders to stuff their stats.

The Bears defense and special teams made enough plays to win. The loss was on Grossman.

[TheSanityAnnex]

you are talking about the franchise that drafted ryan leaf and let drew brees go...... a nobody ass franchise that will never win shit!You're also talking about the franchise that passed on Vick and wisely took L.T. and also turned an Eli Manning pick into Phillip Rivers, Shawne Merriman, and Nate Kaeding. We're also talking about the same franchise that sent 10 players to the Pro Bowl this year. Kill yourself.

[ShoogarBear]

You're also talking about the franchise that passed on Vick and wisely took L.T. and also turned an Eli Manning pick into Phillip Rivers, Shawne Merriman, and Nate Kaeding. We're also talking about the same franchise that sent 10 players to the Pro Bowl this year. And then got rid of all their coaches.

[TheSanityAnnex]

Shoog,

They lost all their coaches because Marty went against Smith's recommendations and let Wade and Phillips interview. The franchise had nothing to do with that. I'm actually very excited to see what happens now.

[ShoogarBear]

Excited.

Interesting choice of words. Wait till they hire Denny Green or Norv Turner.

"Wade and Phillips"? No wonder he was able to do such a good job.

[TheSanityAnnex]

The way this team is built as of now, Art Fucking Shell could get them to the playoffs.

[Fillmoe]

if they hire norv turner im killing someone.....

[slayermin]

They should do the samething the Cowboys did. Get the next best defensive coordinator for the 3-4 and keep the same system.

Offensively, the Chargers should be able to succeed regardless of who they bring in. Martz or Turner will do.

[MajorMike]

if they hire norv turner im killing someone.....

I vote Norcal... at least you won't have to go far.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Shoog,

They lost all their coaches because Marty went against Smith's recommendations and let Wade and Phillips interview. The franchise had nothing to do with that. I'm actually very excited to see what happens now.

NFL rules stipulate that assistant coaches who are under contract for the following season are free to interview for head coaching positions until March 1.

And that would be Phillips and Cameron who took HC positions.

[kskonn]

parcells and cowers are both unavailable unless the chargers provide compensation in the form of draft picks, players,money, or a combination of all three to the teams they retired from. They will both be available on the open market after next season when their contracts would have expired.

[Fabbs]

NFL rules stipulate that assistant coaches who are under contract for the following season are free to interview for head coaching positions until March 1.

And that would be Phillips and Cameron who took HC positions.
Very true DLF. But Head Coaches are able to prevent assistant coaches from interviewing for assistant openings with other teams.

Two Charger assistants have already become assistants on other teams.
Meanwhile asstard Marty is interviewing his brother Kurt to be D Coor?
Same Marty who tried to block the hiring of Wade Phillips ad DC in 2004.
Marty wanted to get his ass run. Stoopid control freak. The Chargers would have never come close to 14-2 had the Spanos and GM AJ not intervened after another incredibly stopid Martyball loss at Baltimore sent the Chargers to 3-2. He was then ordered to open up the offense. Dont believe for a millisecond Marty did that on his own.

[TheSanityAnnex]

Very true DLF. But Head Coaches are able to prevent assistant coaches from interviewing for assistant openings with other teams.
Marty actually encouraged his assistants to interview with other teams. AJ told him to do the opposite.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Very true DLF. But Head Coaches are able to prevent assistant coaches from interviewing for assistant openings with other teams.




I thought they could only prevent horizontal moves, like OC to OC. With any upward movement, they have to give a pseudo-title promotion, like assistant HC if they want to keep them.


In any event, I don't think letting your TE coach go is that big of a deal. Haven't they lost at least 2 assistant coaches for the last few years?

Smith fucked up by not firing him a month ago.

[TheSanityAnnex]

Smith fucked up by not firing him a month ago.I don't think it was up to Smith. I believe Spanos made the decision.

[TheSanityAnnex]

Smith fucked up by not firing him a month ago.
“When I decided to move ahead with Marty Schottenheimer in mid-January, I did so with the expectation that the core of his fine coaching staff would remain intact,” Spanos said in a statement. “Unfortunately, that did not prove to be the case, and the process of dealing with these coaching changes convinced me that we simply could not move forward with such dysfunction between our head coach and general manager.”

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

Why not wait a year and throw a boatload of money and possibly GM duties to Cowher?

It's pretty obvious Marty knew that he was gone next year and wanted his assistants to have some job security, even if it meant they'd be somewhere else.

Very odd handling of the situation by all parties involved, IMO...

[ShoogarBear]

I can't ever recall a situation like this before.

This is as dangerously close to laughingstock as a 14-2 team can get.

[Fillmoe]

im laughing right now..... :lol :lol :lol they should hire matt millen as their gm to complete the laughing stock

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

I expect this from a team like the Lions, not a team that lost 3 games last year.

Can I laugh when Denny Green is hired?

[ShoogarBear]

Denny Green is Vince Lombardi compared to Norv Turner. Trust me.

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

And as bad as Schott has been in the playoffs, he's still better than both...

[Fabbs]

I expect this from a team like the Lions, not a team that lost 3 games last year.
Can I laugh when Denny Green is hired?
Don't you even say that.
Pete Caroll. As the probation noose tightens at USC he will be looking to bail.
Has lots of NFL experience, esp as defensive backs coach, the weakest link in Chargerville.

Wants total control tho, now way AJ gives that up. No way he should.

[Fillmoe]

son of a bitch i just heard michael smith on espn say that norv turner is the front runner...... FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK! NOT AGAIN!

[ShoogarBear]

And as bad as Schott has been in the playoffs, he's still better than both...No question. I like Schottenheimer. He's coached two teams I like (Skins and Chiefs) . Fundamentally he's a good coach and you know bad teams will always get better under him, almost like the Larry Brown of the NFL. It's just that his gonads shrink in the playoffs, and I think it's starting to get to him.

Funny that everyone forgets how badly Pete Carroll sucked as an NFL head coach.

[Fabbs]

Funny that everyone forgets how badly Pete Carroll sucked as an NFL head coach.
Carroll's specialty is the secondary. In fact, his first six years of NFL coaching experience came in the role of defensive backs coach. Carroll made a name for himself in Minnesota, where his defensive backfield averaged an eye-popping 25 interceptions during his five-year tenure.

His next tour of duty was in New York, where he served as defensive coordinator for a New York Jets team enduring an era of putridity. In 1994, after four mostly mediocre seasons, Carroll assumed the role of head coach, promptly went 6-10, and was quickly let go.

Next up was a two-year stint with the then-aging dynasty known as the San Francisco 49ers . Carroll served as defensive coordinator under George Seifert and fielded an extremely solid unit that ranked No. 1 in virtually every significant statistical category.

Then came what is perhaps his most well-documented NFL head coaching stint. On the heels of Bill Parcells' resignation, Carroll took the helm of a New England Patriots franchise that was fresh off a Super Bowl appearance. He reached the playoffs in each of his first two seasons with the Pats, but finished 8-8 in his third campaign and was promptly let go. In his three years at Foxborough, Carroll amassed a respectable 27-21 regular-season record.

I'd love it if Caroll came in as D Co-or. He probably wont.
Even as head he would be 10Xs as good as Shot in the playoffs. My grandma would. Anyones grandma would.

[mardigan]

They are bringing in Mora Jr. and Norv Turner for interviews

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

It makes no sense why they kept him in the first place. Great in the regular season, pretty good at picking a staff and absolutely horrible in the playoffs. They offered him a ridiculous extension.

10 days until the combine starts, 3 weeks until FA begins and the Chargers don't have a single coach on staff.

This screams Lion Logic...

Oh, and Green>>>>>Turner>>>>====Carroll.

[ShoogarBear]

Carroll's specialty is the secondary. In fact, his first six years of NFL coaching experience came in the role of defensive backs coach. Carroll made a name for himself in Minnesota, where his defensive backfield averaged an eye-popping 25 interceptions during his five-year tenure.

His next tour of duty was in New York, where he served as defensive coordinator for a New York Jets team enduring an era of putridity. In 1994, after four mostly mediocre seasons, Carroll assumed the role of head coach, promptly went 6-10, and was quickly let go.

Next up was a two-year stint with the then-aging dynasty known as the San Francisco 49ers . Carroll served as defensive coordinator under George Seifert and fielded an extremely solid unit that ranked No. 1 in virtually every significant statistical category.

Then came what is perhaps his most well-documented NFL head coaching stint. On the heels of Bill Parcells' resignation, Carroll took the helm of a New England Patriots franchise that was fresh off a Super Bowl appearance. He reached the playoffs in each of his first two seasons with the Pats, but finished 8-8 in his third campaign and was promptly let go. In his three years at Foxborough, Carroll amassed a respectable 27-21 regular-season record.

I'd love it if Caroll came in as D Co-or. He probably wont.
Even as head he would be 10Xs as good as Shot in the playoffs. My grandma would. Anyones grandma would.What that doesn't say is that he was run out of town on a rail in both NY and New England, with players, management, and fans all hating him.

Clearly he knows what he's doing in the college ranks. But there's no evidence he'd be better than Marty in the pros.

Maybe he's learned some things at USC about coaching paid players, though. :smokin

[Fabbs]

They are bringing in Mora Jr. and Norv Turner for interviews
Please tell me this is hearsay.

[ShoogarBear]

Mora, Jr.? Is this his new dream job?

[DisgruntledLionFan#54,927]

I so want it to be Mariucci.

C'mon Spanos, he just moved back to Cali...

[mardigan]

Mortenson just reported it on NFL Live, said they have contacted both

[Matt Millen]

I so want it to be Mariucci.

C'mon Spanos, he just moved back to Cali...

a disgruntled fan? no worries... i have big plans for the Lions next year. i think we have a bright future ahead

[mardigan]

Also, Rex Ryan, d coordinator for the Ravens was allowed permission to speak with the Bolts

[Pugglekicker_21]

whoever they pick must have his hat on the defensive side to help the shit secondary, which is acceptable after the pass rushing of phillips and merriman came. either that or a guy like turner who can get the most out of philip rivers.

[TheSanityAnnex]

Everything the Chargers Touch Turns to Gold

"Six years ago, the bumbling San Diego Chargers gave up the top pick in the NFL draft -- everyone's consensus choice was Michael Vick -- and dropped to fifth, where they took a chance on LaDainian Tomlinson, one of those dime-a-dozen running backs who get overrated every year.

The dunderheads did get an undersized, junk-ball throwing quarterback, Drew Brees, in the second round.

Three years ago, the morons went ahead and drafted Eli Manning with the No. 1 pick, even though Manning vowed he would never play in San Diego, presumably because the organization was so pathetic.

Forced to trade him, the Chargers used their multiple picks that year and the next to acquire sidearm thrower Philip Rivers, place-kicker Nate Kaeding, veteran tackle Roman Oben and linebacker Shawne Merriman.

Last winter, after Brees had developed into the perfect quarterback to lead the Chargers' surprisingly diverse offense, the boneheads allowed him to walk away as a free agent, gambling that untested third-year pro Rivers would be up to the task.

Now the goofy Chargers have bungled the firing of Coach Marty Schottenheimer. Whether you are a fan of Schottenheimer for leading the team to an NFL-best 14-2 record, or think his postseason failures and the one-and-done loss to New England last month warranted a boot in the pants, you have to admit team president Dean Spanos and general manager A. J. Smith really blew it this time.

A month after telling him he could stay, then watching the team's stable of talented assistants depart, and the best outside coaching candidates take jobs elsewhere, the dopey Chargers suddenly find themselves in mid-February searching in the weeds for a new head coach.

I suspect this is the final piece of idiocy the franchise needs to get itself over the top. The last pratfall that will lead them to the promised land. Yes, the final misstep in a long line of highly criticized moves that will make the crazy Chargers a Super Bowl team.

Me, I'm done calling them names.

If the Chargers front office is out to lunch, well, maybe we ought to find out what they're eating and drinking, and order it up. Every time I think they've driven the bus off the bridge, out come the James Bond wings and away they go.

The Chargers' plotters and schemers are either the craftiest crew of brilliant thinkers in the NFL, or the luckiest sons of guns to ever throw a dart at a draft chart.

Either way, I'm on board. If I don't have anything nice to say about the geniuses in San Diego, I won't say anything at all. Mom would be so proud.

If they bring in the great underachiever, Norv Turner, or backslider Dennis Green, to coach, I'll button my lip and marvel at the 15-1 season.

If they go with a 27-year-old junior college assistant coach, I'll assume he's the next Tony Dungy.

Heck, if they hire Denzel Washington because they liked the job he did with the Titans, it's OK by me.

It's pretty obvious by now, the Chargers front office can do no wrong. Maybe the players and coaches can have their airhead moments at the worst time, say, in a postseason game against the Patriots. But the guys upstairs?

They've been perfect for six years. Drink a toast to that, 1972 Miami Dolphins.

Spanos cited the ongoing "dysfunctional" relationship between Smith and Schottenheimer as the reason he had to let the coach go, as if it were a bad thing.

In the same way that dysfunction has fueled every money-making TV reality show, it seemed to work with the Chargers, too. But we can only assume the brass knows best.

Its unblemished recent track record should also be great news for Chargers fans who live in fear that the team is moving just as soon as the last bobbled stadium deal falls through or gets voted down.

It may look like the Chargers aren't really trying, or may be sabotaging efforts to keep their game in town, but looks, as we've learned, can be deceiving.

I don't think they're going to Los Angeles, Anaheim or Las Vegas.

I think they're going straight to the Super Bowl. It doesn't matter that there's barely anyone left on the staff that guided them to the best record in history, or that a new coach may tinker poorly with one of the NFL's most talented rosters.

The important thing is the front office still has nearly a year to toss in a few more staggeringly deft gambits disguised as colossal gaffes.

I can't wait to keep my mouth shut."

[ShoogarBear]

Everything the Chargers Touch Turns to GoldExcuse me, how many playoff wins in the last six years?

[Fabbs]

^^ I'd say they did everything perfect except the length of Martyballs contract. Should have been 3 with a club option for the rest.
Thank him for the rebuild after 2004s 12-4, the predictable Martyball loss in the 1st playoff game and shuffled him off.

2005s 9-7 team said to be the best team ever to not make the playoffs.
2006s 14-2 our grandmas coaching could have beaten the Pats.

Other then that, great article.
I put total faith in AJs judgement of whom to coach for 2007-8. The SuperBowl dream lives.

[TheSanityAnnex]

^^ I'd say they did everything perfect except the length of Martyballs contract. Should have been 3 with a club option for the rest.
Thank him for the rebuild after 2004s 12-4, the predictable Martyball loss in the 1st playoff game and shuffled him off.

2005s 9-7 team said to be the best team ever to not make the playoffs.
2006s 14-2 our grandmas coaching could have beaten the Pats.

Other then that, great article.
I put total faith in AJs judgement of whom to coach for 2007-8. The SuperBowl dream lives.
Agree with everything except the first playoff loss. That loss fall squarely on the shoulders of Nate Fucking Kaeding.