Chargers Fire Schottenheimer
The San Diego Chargers fired Marty Schottenheimer as their coach tonight, only weeks after losing in the second round of the AFC playoffs but then announcing that they would retain Schottenheimer.
Club president Dean Spanos announced the decision and cited the ongoing feud between Schottenheimer and General Manager A.J. Smith, as well as the recent defections from Schottenheimer's coaching staff.
"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," Spanos said in a written statement released by the team. "In short, this entire process over the last month convinced me beyond any doubt that I had to act to change this untenable situation."
The Chargers lost both their coordinators to head coaching jobs, with offensive coordinator Cam Cameron being hired by the Miami Dolphins and defensive boss Wade Phillips by the Dallas Cowboys. Tight ends coach Rob Chudzinski left to become the offensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns and linebackers coach Greg Manusky was hired as the defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers.
Schottenheimer and Smith barely were on speaking terms at times. The Chargers had a league-best record of 14-2 during the regular season but lost an AFC semifinal at home to the New England Patriots, dropping Schottenheimer's career postseason record to 5-13. The Chargers announced soon thereafter that they were retaining Schottenheimer but he had rejected an offer for a one-year, $4.5 million contract extension through the 2008 season with a $1 million buyout if he was fired.
By Mark Maske |
February 12, 2007; 9:59 PM ET
| Category:
Chargers
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Posted by: mike | February 12, 2007 11:32 PM
After,the Redskins were a very tough team under Schottenheimer.They were actually in the playoff hunt with Tony Banks at quarterback.Now,that's coaching.Of course,Dan Snyder saw that Steve Spurrier would be available,so we all know how that turned out.
Posted by: seang | February 13, 2007 2:05 AM
After an 0-5 start,the Redskins were a very tough team under Schottenheimer.They were actually in the playoff hunt with Tony Banks at quarterback.Now,that's coaching.Of course,Dan Snyder saw that Steve Spurrier would be available,so we all know how that turned out.
Posted by: seang | February 13, 2007 2:05 AM
My condolences, Charger fans; please know the Raiders will again start beating you.
This was a stupid move by the owner -- like Tampa Bay firing Tony Dungy.
Posted by: RaiderFan | February 13, 2007 8:30 AM
TO RaiderFan:
The coaching may get interesting next year, but the players will be the same. See ya at the tailgate party - that starts around dawn, as usual.
Posted by: BoltsFan | February 13, 2007 10:05 AM
BoltsFan --
you are right about that. I can see you guys sweeping us again next year, but after that, watchout.
Yer a classy guy -- I'll give you a good cold beer at the tailgate party.
Posted by: RaiderFan | February 13, 2007 10:38 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Wow, he's back on the market, somebody is going to get lucky. He is a top notch talent and I wonder where the Skins' would be if he'd stayed. Not that I find Joe Gibbs the least bit objectionable, we are quite fortunate to have him.