It is true. ESPN.com is reporting that the Chargers have fired Marty Schottenheimer from the head coaching position.
What is most surprising to me about this is that they waited this long to do it. Every other head coaching spot has been filled. To do this now is just makes no sense. Perhaps there was an agruement between the Chargers GM and Marty, two guys that don't exactly see eye to eye.
Do the Chargers really think they are going to get a better coach? I mean, before Marty came there the Chargers were horrible, and he turned them into a contender. They went 14-2 this year. 14-2!!! Marty had tough luck in the playoffs, but anyone with half a brain wouldn't fire a 14-2 coach.
Maybe they were just waiting for Bill Parcells to resign so they can get him? Parcells and Cowher are the only guys I can think of who could possibly be a upgrade from Marty. They already lost both coordinators, as Phillips took the Dallas job, and Cameron took the Miami job.
According to Yahoo, the Chargers president sited a "dysfunctional situation" between Marty and GM A.J. Smith, two guys who have never seen eye to eye.
Apprently, the loss of the core of the coaching staff is a big part of this. As you likely know, Wade Phillips, the former defensive coordinator, is now the Cowboys' head coach. Meanwhile, the former offensive coordinator, Cam Cameron, is the head coach of the Dolphins.
Not only that, but the Chargers tight ends coach and linebackers coach both took better jobs at different teams. Apprently, the debate over who the new members pf the staff cause more dysfunction between Smith and Marty.
So obviously in this feud, the owner thought that he had to get rid of one. Marty, I suppose is easier to make the scapegoat. He can't get a head coaching job now that the other spots are filled.
14-2, and you lose your job. It doesn't get tougher then that.
Seeing this, a lot of scenarios have aroze. First, seeing how Marty was treated even after great success, many coaches may not want to coach there just because of lack of job secruity. But of course, this team is good enough to win it all, and what coach wouldn't want a Super Bowl ring?
A lot of names have already been thrown around here at FanIQ for the next head coach. Here are some of them.
Bill Parcells. At the end of the season, Parcells looked very tired and seemed serious about retirement. But Parcells came to Dallas in the first place because he was hungry for the ring. Maybe that hunger will lead him to San Diego?
Bill Cowher. Cowher seems very content about taking this year off. However I highly doubt Cowher thought an opportunity this huge would ever come up. If the Chargers give him the offer you can't refuse...
Pete Carroll. USC is in the midst of a lot of scandals. The Reggie Bush ordeal, as well as the recent recuiting controversy. Plus, San Diego isn't very far away from SoCal where he is now. He didn't want to leave a great college job for a bad pro job, but the Chargers team is great. Maybe he will be tempted?
Nick Saban. This is mainly meant as a joke, but who knows from the King of Flip Flop.
Ron Rivera. He did a great job with the Bears defense, but just couldn't get a job as a head coach. I'm sure he wants it, but do they want HIM?
Considering this move, I highly doubt they will take someone without serious credientials. You really can't just hire some no name to take over after what just happened.
Well, now we at least have something to talk about in this useless month. Schottenheimer gone...wow.
14, I don't get it either. They were likely already planning on him leaving at the end of next year, so they figured they'd do that. They are going to pay out Marty's contract, so they don't save any money for sure.
Don, true.
Nyace, having LDT, Neal, and that great offensive line, they have an unstoppable running game. The passing game will get more efficient as well.
in away it makes sense,just to think that marty only has 1 year in his contract,how do you think any assistant coach would feel coming into san diego,when a year later they could be gone because a new coach usually brings his own asistants,besides the fact that he did,nt get alone with smith to say the least
Welcome back! Don't know if you left but I know I haven't read you in a while.
Anway, I think the breaking point was prbobably losing Phillips. With both offensive coordinators out the ownership decided they didn't want to struggle to keep Marty. Too bad. We'll see who they hire to get the Chargers over the hump.
Also: the link appears broken.
Last edited by rusirious13 on February 12th at 8:02 PM.
I think Don is probably correct. The President firing the Coach instead of the GM isn't usually the way it goes down is it? It indicates to me a GM that would not fire the coach and an owner telling the President what to do. Given what appears to be a bad call, it all goes back to the owner. This is usually the case with teams that can't stay on top when they do happen to get there.
Rusirious, I left here for Sportingnews, this is only the 2nd time I've posted a blog here in 5 months. Losing Phillips likely hurt them and since Smith didn't like Marty, it made sense to them.
I'm leaning that way. It's still a dysfunctional situation. What young coach would want to step into that situation? Why would a Parcells want to? Nope, best find the best old coach that never really was that good anyway.
Will the the next Norv Turner, please stand up, please stand up, please stand up?
I just hope we get a disciplinarian coach,maybe Singleterry,great linbacker when he played for da bears,and he's a good guy,Ithink he would feet right in
Marty has long been a coach I have wanted my Lions to hire, butr he has had serious issues getting to the Super Bowl. But I still cant believe the Chargers fired him
