Posted on 02/12/2007 7:12:58 PM PST by Terpfen
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."
(Excerpt) Read more at sports.espn.go.com ...
I remember the disaster when the chargers were so horrible, and Spanos had somehow managed to talk the city into a contract that said they would have to buy a certain number of unsold tickets. We were stationed at Pendleton at the time, and it was in the paper every single day. It cost the city a fortune. People were not happy with Spanos, especially when he started demanding a new stadium that very same year.
The Cowboys won that third title in the nineties despite Switzer, not because of Barry (and Neil O'Donnell). I think that if Johnson had stayed, they would have won a couple more. They were that talented and deep. Alas, Jerry Jones had to screw it up! And now look at them..... Phillips will get what, one year?
What, King arguing with Rush over where to get the best latte, girls' field hockey in NJ, and Ten Things He Thinks He Thinks? King's an ass.....
You are very correct...Barry was lucky that the team was so well coached by Johnson..that they DID do it despite Switzer.
I know Jerry gave Phillips a 3 year with a 1 year option...but, Jerry would swallow that, I think if Da Boyz went 2-14...LOL
Of course, I wasn't happy with the pick...nothing personally against Wade...it just wasn't an "exciting" pick for me.
It wasn't Martyball that lost the Chargers the game. If they had played martyball (running to protect the lead), they would have won. But they abandoned the run despite having the League MVP who was getting yards in chunks, instead entrusting the game to Rivers, who had an off day.
Marty was trying so hard not to play Martyball that he didn't even do what was best for the win.
I'm a Bronco fan ... although I admire Schottenheimer and wish him well ... this turn of events should give the Broncos a leg up in AFC west this coming football season.
Just Damn...
I've got the first pick in next year's FFL draft. I can't have some new coach messing up LT's numbers...
Most football fans understand what NFL stands for
Not
For
Long
You don't need permission to interview for a higher position (e.g. DC to head coach).
This is a good move. Marty would be lost without Phillips and Cleland. Since he didn't call plays, it's unclear what his actual role was with the team, other than to mismanage the clock.
Oh...okay, thanks.
I didn't realize that they could interview for a higher position.
And I assume that LT will realize this and go somewhere where his potential can be used to get him an SB.
Oh yes, the old unsold ticket deal. Cost the City big time, or I should say we tax payers.
Also put millions reuping the stadium.
Because the Padres have a new ballpark downtown, the Chargers are that much more pushing for a new stadium.
City is finished giving them life support so they are in
talks with Chula Vista & National City, South Bay area of San Diego to build a new stadium there and they will help fund.
Ha! you are right. I can't believe if he heard Rush live, he could possibly think it was anything but his usual "Illustrating Absurdity By Being Absurd."
I was wrong about the dollar number , it's 4 million, and yes that is a nice vacation.
Several league sources have told FOXSports.com that the Chargers have requested permission to interview Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera, Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and Saints defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs, among others.
Rivera, who also was slated to fly out to San Diego to interview within the next 48 hours.
In addition, while USC head coach Pete Carroll's name has been hot, team sources contend he is not a viable option at this point.
San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinater Norv Turner could also be a candidate, as well as Seattle asstistant head Jim Mora.
I bet its Ron Rivera all the way. He is a Cal Golden Bear.
I doubt it'll be Ron Rivera. Why would the Chargers bring in a guy who specializes in a defense that the Chargers don't run?
I honestly think it'll be Norv Turner, simply because Turner runs the Air Coryell system which San Diego already uses.
Bring on Norv!!!!
One less team for the Pats to worry about next year
You wish that were the case. The Chargers are currently such a good team that you or I could coach them and they'd go 10-6, maybe 11-5, and then we'd have to talk about how disappointing the season was, with "only" 10 or 11 wins.
You'd better worry more about the Jets, who you had to play in the wild card round (the Patriots, in the wild card round? Imagine that!); the Bills, who are actually starting to show some signs of life; and the Dolphins, who creamed you 21-0.
San Diego uses Run LT Run! Air Coryell went deep to John Jefferson ,Charlie Joiner and Kellen Winslow. Running was an after thought. Though he used Chuck Muncie more when he was there. Rivera would be the head man and could hire any OC he wanted (i.e. Norv Turner). A HC administrates the team and has to get along with the GM. Brian Billick in Baltimore was known as offensive guru in Minnesota has turned out to be a defense minded coach. Good coaches don't fix things that are not broke.
Yes, San Diego runs. They'd be neglectful not to. They still use the Air Coryell playbook, though, regardless of which specific plays they call.
You're kidding yourself if you think the head coach doesn't impose his philosophy upon the team. Mike Tomlin is going to install the Cover 2 defense in Pittsburgh. Nick Saban installed his hybrid defense here in Miami. Head coaches implement what they know. In Rivera's case, he would tinker with the workings of an already effective defense. But for the sake of argument, let's say Rivera wouldn't implement his defense. Why, then, should San Diego bother with a guy who's never been a head coach before, given that San Diego has all the pieces necessary to not only win a Super Bowl or two now, but to be a competitive team for many years to come?
And, lastly, why would Norv Turner leave his position as OC for the 49ers for the exact same position in San Diego?
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