A joint message from Marty and Ron: "Go F* Yourself, San Diego"
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 sure shall ---- count on it.
I think Eli will be special-that being said-I am still screaming they didn't keep Collins and draft Sean Taylor. One of their picks they gave up turned out to be Merriman. I would take Sean Taylor, Merriman, and Kerry Collins for Eli any day of the week-and I am an Eli fan.
Marty is the one who played Drew Brees in a meaningless game against Denver last year instead of getting Phillips some reps. Brees was injured in that game. Marty hasn't won a single playoff game since 1993 despite having home field advantage 3 times. As a Broncos fan, I'm sorry to see Marty go.
Yes, it's dumb. That's what happens when you let office politics influence your thinking.
As for Phillips... no, I'm pretty sure Phillips is kicking himself. Phillips and AJ Smith are good friends, and Smith would almost certainly have offered Phillips the job after Schottenheimer's contract expired. Instead, Phillips stupidly went to Dallas as soon as the job was offered to him, and now he's stuck trying to run a team under Jerry Jones, who thinks nothing at all of interfering with a head coach's decisions.
But hey, at least Smith got to fire someone he really hates!
Yes, Schottenheimer signed a one-year extension. But AJ Smith and Schottenheimer hate each other. Smith originally wanted to replace Schotty with Wade Phillips, but Phillips left for Dallas.
Smith made the best of a bad situation by settling his vendetta and having Schottenheimer fired... after all of the other NFL head coaching vacancies were filled.
I understand that. Despite the "character flaw", he deserves some respect. A.J. Smith just needs a kick in the can.
Marty and the GM hated each other. the GM was more the idiot.
The GM wanted the first and last say so finally Marty had enough
If Spanos truly wanted to fire Schottenheimer, why would he offer an extension after the end of the season, even if it was only a single year?
The answer: he really didn't, at least not right away. AJ Smith, however, has managed to convince Spanos to get rid of Schotty.
I'm guessing San Diego will make a run at Norv Turner or Pete Carroll.
No, Marty refused the one year extension at 4.5 million with a 1 million buy out option.He has one year left on his original contract.
AJ Smith is the guy who built that Pro Bowl talent-laden roster, even if some of those 53 guys enjoy orange jumpsuits and steel bars.
You can see why Spanos would allow himself to be influenced by Smith.
I wouldn't doubt there was pressure at the top, and it involved Smith. Spanos had two options: kick Smith out of the front office or fire Schottenheimer. He opted for the second option.
Are you saying that if they had won that game and then went on to the Superbowl, that Marty would have been fired? The excuse, no matter how you cut it is that they lost again.
I am not a Chargers fan, but living in Southern California, it was widely discussed how Marty's job was on the line. I listened to it almost daily on sports radio here. It was obvious that the only reason that he hung on as long as he did was that Marty kept on winning. The moment he lost, it was merely a matter of time that the man was history. It was common knowledge that the owner wanted him gone a while ago.
Next year is the year of the Bengal...if we can stay out of jail. LOL!
Phillips probably hated Smith so he left, knowing that he would be the next in line for the head coach job.
I don't understand all the consternation. Schottenheimer can not win the big ones. We are talking history here, not speculation.
Your right! Smith wanted him gone but Spanos said no! Spanos should have listened to Smith. If he had then as you posted earlier Smith's buddy Wade would be the Chargers head coach.
If Smith gets his ass kicked, I'll think of you and that phone call. LOL
btt
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