Chargers' head coach Marty Schottenheimer.
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Chargers retain Marty; Schottenheimer doesn't take fall for playoff ouster
By: MICHAEL KLITZING - Staff Writer | ∞
Chargers' head coach Marty Schottenheimer.
HAYNE PALMOUR IV Staff Photographer
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SAN DIEGO -- Three days after the Chargers' season ended in heartbreak, the team opted Wednesday not to make a break with head coach Marty Schottenheimer.
Team president Dean Spanos decided Schotteheimer's successful regular-season track record outweighed the two postseason defeats he has suffered with the Chargers -- including Sunday's painful 24-21 loss to the New England Patriots in the divisional playoffs. Ultimately, Spanos refused to lay all the responsibility for the error-filled loss to the Patriots at Schottenheimer's feet.
"You saw the game on Sunday -- you can't blame that on the coach," Spanos said. "That is baloney."
Schottenheimer will coach the Chargers in 2007, the final year of a contract extension he signed after the '04 season. But the 63-year-old turned down the opportunity to sign a one-year, $4.5 million extension for '08 that included a $1 million team option to buy out the contract.
"I'm excited to continue to be a part of this organization," Schottenheimer said. "We're looking forward to the upcoming season. There's been a lot of discussion about the possibilities of this thing, but I signed a contract and have every intention of fulfilling that contract.
"We talked about another opportunity within the framework of another year -- I just wasn't comfortable with that particular arrangement."
He declined to elaborate on his reason for declining the extension, but Chargers tackle Roman Oben said the coach's lame-duck contract status for the upcoming season will not be a hindrance to the team.
"What it does is that it shows he's got a lot of confidence in himself and that we will be back (in the playoffs) next year," Oben said. "The team has to rally around him."
After the game Sunday, several Chargers players did just that, saying publicly that Schottenheimer was not to blame for the latest defeat.
Oben said Wednesday that the decision not to fire Schottenheimer will be well-received by the players.
"I think the right decision was made," Oben said. "That game was not lost on Sunday because the coach mismanaged the game. We as players made a lot of mistakes, and I think anyone who watched the game can note the four or five mistakes we made."
Spanos mentioned maintaining continuity on a team that has won 35 games in the last three seasons as one of the main reasons he opted to stay the course with Schottenheimer. But his popularity in the locker room also factored in.
"Everyone loves Marty," said Oben, who noted that Schottenheimer's coaching philosophy became more player-friendly during his tenure with the team.
Recently, the coach known for his hard-nosed mentality during his stays in Cleveland, Kansas City and Washington has limited the time his players spend practicing in pads during the season in order to keep them fresh.
"He wants to win and he loves his players," Oben added.
Chargers general manager A.J. Smith, who has long had a chilly relationship with Schottenheimer, said he supported the decision to bring back the coach and was pleased with how the situation played out.
Wednesday's announcement ended days of speculation fueled by silence from Chargers brass about whether Schottenheimer would be jettisoned after five years at the helm of the team.
Schottenheimer's 200 career victories are the most for any coach not to reach the Super Bowl, but he has long been dogged by his lackluster postseason record -- it fell to 5-13 on Sunday.
Nevertheless, he is credited with helping turn around the fortunes of the once-moribund franchise. The Chargers are 47-33 since his arrival in 2002. They went 23-57 in the five previous seasons.
For now, the Chargers -- and Schottenheimer -- seem content to ride that wave.
"I live vicariously through the performance of these players," Schottenheimer said. "It's a treat when you get a chance to work with them and then watch them go play in a winning fashion.
"What I'm anxious to do is find a way -- notwithstanding the record -- to get over that hump."
-- Contact staff writer Michael Klitzing at mklitzing@nctimes.com.
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Daren wrote on Jan 18, 2007 12:40 AM:This was the correct move by the Chargers. However, Marty has demonstrated that he will not coach this team beyond next season unless the Chargers win the Super Bowl. Whether or not Marty leaves or stays, he will get paid in 2008.
genius wrote on Jan 18, 2007 2:35 AM:This makes Dean look like one.
Doc wrote on Jan 18, 2007 5:17 AM:The receivers in particular should spend more time in pads. They can get used to the feel of the ball bouncing off their chest that way.
Martyball wrote on Jan 18, 2007 6:16 AM:I don't get it. Why always blame the coach? From what I saw, he didn't fumble the ball, he didn't headbud anyone, he didn't slip on the new sod, he wasn't the one who couldn't hols on to caught balls... Boofrikinhoo. Get over it. The players made stupid mistakes and lost. Suck it up and focus on next season.
scottdee wrote on Jan 18, 2007 7:32 AM:Oben said the team made 4 or 5 mistakes in the playoff game? Roman is a nice guy but counting is something he needs to brush up on..The true irony of Marty staying is that it was Spanos who supported AJ's decision to keep Marty and offer a 1 year extension, not the other way around as hinted in Klitzing's column above..Which tells me AJ continues to take the high road in his relationship with Marty and is doing what's best for the team..Now it's time to get down to the business of signing Dielman, franchising Turner, working something out with Donnie, and...
Denveraider wrote on Jan 18, 2007 7:52 AM:Marty is a cancer,I for one love the fact that he is sticking around,so I can watch the collapse like this years and laugh like a school girl..HAHA He messed up by wasting that timeout,and punting because he thought they had the game under control... He was trying to waste the timeout before NE went for the 2point conversion but he was late.. The players had a good the year,but their coach srcewed them in the end like he has done every place he has been.. That was the biggest choke I have seen in years.. Loved it,and love the fact that I can watch marty's face when it happens again,and the whole world can say--I TOLD YOU SSSSOOOO...
Ben wrote on Jan 18, 2007 7:58 AM:You can't blame the coach??? He wasted the last timeout on a clear fumble,that cost them a shot at tying the game.. Ofcourse you can blame him,the players played a hell of a year and got screwed in the end,by the same guy who has done it time and time again before to other teams.. I love the fact that he is staying ,I laughed like a school girl when they choked,and look forward to doing the same thing next year!!! Marty is a cancer,He is gonna waste all the good years up that san has left,and they will turn into the san Ive grown to love so well of the last 30 years!!! LT run out of there as fast as u can,when Merriman gets busted again next year,there goes the D!!!
MICHAEL JACKSON wrote on Jan 18, 2007 8:08 AM:I THINK THAT IT WAS ALL THE KICKERS FAULT BCAUSE EVERYONE ELSE DID WAT THEY NEEDED TO DO FOR HIM TO GET IN FIELD GOAL RANGE AND THERE HE GOES AGAIN AND MISSIS IT JUST LIKE TWO YEARS AGO!!
GAN wrote on Jan 18, 2007 8:37 AM:A 14-2 cancer! The guy is a winner and a stand up guy to boot. After they win the super bowl next year I hope they fire AJ and make marty the GM and CC or Wade the head coach.
rusty wrote on Jan 18, 2007 9:20 AM:here's the bottom line sport fans.missed field goal,catches,chances,headbutt and one great pass and catch buy new england is why season is over. some of these comments are cluless,but hey what the heck. indys been knocking on door,and new orlands ,you all know that story. so if it make you feel better, talk all your smack and your facts. but one things for sure marty is coming back!go bolts
Bolted wrote on Jan 18, 2007 9:29 AM:Isn't Bill Cowher available next year??
boltgirl wrote on Jan 18, 2007 11:22 AM:The players messed up and they need to recognize that. Next year maybe they will not get ahead of theirselves once they make the playoffs. It was a heartbreaker - but we still have the best team....
GG wrote on Jan 18, 2007 11:46 AM:Sure, Cowher is available, but is AJ willing to give up any of his power/control? None of those top coaches are going to come here and have AJ totally controlling who is hired and fired on the team. Let's see if AJ can suck up his giant ego and make up with Donnie Edwards now.
J D wrote on Jan 18, 2007 11:46 AM:Yes BILL COWHER is available! How about a new kicker and 1 more star reciever, than the job will get done in diego. I'm deeply a charger fan but I think they should of waited to see if they really had a shot at aquiring Bill Cowher than firing MARTY, if 07 ends up the same way it did this year I'm gonna piss my self and become a Detroit Lion fan. HAHA-HAHA
Bryan wrote on Jan 18, 2007 11:48 AM:The Chargers beat the Ponies twice this year. Either game would have given them the last playoff nod over Denver. At least San Diego is in a better position than Denver for next year. Marty's a good coach and they were close to winning this one. Sure his post-season record bites, but he has never had a great QB playing for him. His last win in KC was with an ancient Joe Montana. The rest of the Chiefs/Browns QBs were not first tier. Maybe Rivers can get him there.
Me wrote on Jan 18, 2007 1:48 PM:It's not Martys fault the Chargers lost, the fans and the players realize that. The only people that are blaming Marty is the media and their hatred of the Chargers on a national level. Tell me this, Sports Illustrated names the 100 greates moments in sports this year but fails to mention LT's record. That doesn't make any sense at all.
hungster-in-Esc wrote on Jan 18, 2007 1:48 PM:The bottom line is like everyone expects the collective quality of the players, most of them, will have another opportunity next year to overcome the shortcoming of the coach and his staff.
Dan (Temecula) wrote on Jan 18, 2007 5:27 PM: Marty did screw up the game for us. #1 He had 2 weeks to have this team mentally prepared for this game. That is mentally, phsically, and emotionally. #2 the 1st possesion it was 4th and 3 somewhere on New England side, and we punt. Next possesion we go for it on 4th and 11 in a sure passing scheme, patriots blitz, recover Rivers fumble, score field goal 3-0 pats, instead of 3-0 Chargers. I could leave it at that because that would be the difference in the game there, but the red flag on an oh so obvious fumble that was clear the zebras were trying to talk him out of. Result waste of a dearly needed timeout. Yes you can make the argument that he did not drop the balls, or make stupid penalties, but someone who doesn't touch the ball all game shouldn't be able to have 3 chances to help you lose a game from the sideline. That being said with all the team support I think this is the right thing to do. If Marty fails again-- bye bye marty. Please leave California all together because with this talent, and you lose next year in the playoffs your just a simple choke artist. GO BOLTS MY HEART HAS, AND ALWAYS WILL BE WITH YOU!!!!! To Marty, man I really feel for you I know this is hard on you, so good luck, and thanks for the greatest year in a long time, maybe even ever.
Dobbins at safety wrote on Jan 18, 2007 6:39 PM:Perhaps this coming season Rivers can audible more often, he`s a smart QB & this will give us an advantage rather than burning timeouts. What do you think Marty??? And we could use a healthy prone Speedster at WR. Put Dobbins at safety he is just as fast as Rodney & he loves to Hit. The D hasn`t had an intimidator since Rodney left. We will get back in the post season inspite of Marty & Cam.
CHARGED4LiFE wrote on Jan 18, 2007 7:59 PM:its a very good thing he is still the head coach because he did get us those 14 wins and it was the players fault we lost on sunday, dropping that punt...just plain stupidity but hopefuly we get it together this year!
Kicker wrote on Jan 18, 2007 8:33 PM:Thanks for the sane decision. With Marty, I am sure the Chargers win an other league title. Also guarantee playoff success. I don't want to be in that team what we play as opener... Do you? They will be killed! As a first game chargers will destroy no matter who they play! New England? Wish!
Bosum wrote on Jan 19, 2007 1:00 PM:Awesome job Dean - and I hope AJ doesnt choke because that was an awfully big ego to swallow! Classy move which shows ownership learned from the Beathard/Ross debacle. Now Marty just needs to win the Super Bowl and then get renewed on the contract chat. By the way, anybody else think AJ might just be in the doghouse if the Saints beat the Bears this weekend?
JT wrote on Jan 19, 2007 2:23 PM:Wade?..the head coach?..Did you even watch the Game?
Sean C. wrote on Jan 21, 2007 7:31 PM:Was it Wade Phillip`s fault the refs allowed the Patriot O-line to hold. Was it his fault Tomlinson touched the ball 9 times. That being said I want a young passionate coach , enough of the recycling.
Charger fan in LA wrote on Jan 22, 2007 10:03 PM:i think it was cool that marty stayed, it was a wise decision for the team because they have a chemistry together, to win games in the playoff you also need a little luck, and thats what was need last week against the patriots, lets forget about it, and think towards next season, i will keep on supporting the chargers and congratulate them on ther 14-2 record
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