Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Chargers head coach Schottenheimer fired
ESPN.com ^ | February 12, 2007 | Unattributed

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 ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Miscellaneous; Sports
KEYWORDS: nfl; two
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121-135 next last
To: BigSkyFreeper

I sure shall ---- count on it.


41 posted on 02/12/2007 8:00:58 PM PST by onyx (DEFEAT Hillary Clinton, Marxist, student of Saul Alinsky & ally and beneficiary of Soros.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: Txsleuth
The G-men realized that there were no head coaches better than Coughlin available this year. They gave him a one year extension in the hope Cowher, Parcells, or Marty would be available. They may also make a run at Charlie Weiss (die hard Giant fan who lobbied for the job a few years ago) but he has found a home at Notre Dame and that ship has sailed.

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.

42 posted on 02/12/2007 8:01:34 PM PST by MattinNJ (Duncan Hunter for President in '08.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 30 | View Replies]

To: misterrob
Yeah, think Bengals x 2

Chargers are poised to take the lead in the arrests column--it's the Bengals clinging to a slim lead right now, 9-8
43 posted on 02/12/2007 8:03:31 PM PST by Cyclopean Squid (Patron Saint of Mediocrity)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: BigSkyFreeper
Smith didn't fire Marty, Spanos did. Smith is the one who built the current probowl laden roster. Smith brought Wade with him from Buffalo.

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.

44 posted on 02/12/2007 8:03:53 PM PST by free me
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: PhiKapMom

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!


45 posted on 02/12/2007 8:04:01 PM PST by Terpfen (Got a problem? It's now Pelosi's fault!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 40 | View Replies]

To: Cyclopean Squid

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.


46 posted on 02/12/2007 8:06:01 PM PST by Terpfen (Got a problem? It's now Pelosi's fault!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: Terpfen
I wouldn't exactly phrase it like that. There's a reason they invented the term Martyball...

I understand that. Despite the "character flaw", he deserves some respect. A.J. Smith just needs a kick in the can.

47 posted on 02/12/2007 8:07:20 PM PST by BigSkyFreeper (There is no alternative to the GOP except varying degrees of insanity)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: Txsleuth

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


48 posted on 02/12/2007 8:07:56 PM PST by SoCalPol (Duncan Hunter '08 Tough on WOT & Illegals)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: free me

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.


49 posted on 02/12/2007 8:08:03 PM PST by Terpfen (Got a problem? It's now Pelosi's fault!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: Terpfen

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.


50 posted on 02/12/2007 8:08:28 PM PST by free me
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: Terpfen


A joint message from Marty and Ron: "Go F* Yourself, San Diego"
51 posted on 02/12/2007 8:08:45 PM PST by Cyclopean Squid (Patron Saint of Mediocrity)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BigSkyFreeper

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.


52 posted on 02/12/2007 8:09:34 PM PST by Terpfen (Got a problem? It's now Pelosi's fault!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 47 | View Replies]

To: free me
Smith didn't fire Marty, Spanos did.

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.

53 posted on 02/12/2007 8:09:52 PM PST by BigSkyFreeper (There is no alternative to the GOP except varying degrees of insanity)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: Terpfen
This has nothing to do with the Patriots game.

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.

54 posted on 02/12/2007 8:11:42 PM PST by Nachum
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: Rummyfan
****I hereby predict the Chargers will not duplicate their 14 - 2 record and will have a bad year next season.****

Next year is the year of the Bengal...if we can stay out of jail. LOL!

55 posted on 02/12/2007 8:11:57 PM PST by fkabuckeyesrule (February 14th is the day pitchers & catchers report!!!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Terpfen

Phillips probably hated Smith so he left, knowing that he would be the next in line for the head coach job.


56 posted on 02/12/2007 8:12:26 PM PST by BigSkyFreeper (There is no alternative to the GOP except varying degrees of insanity)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: Terpfen

I don't understand all the consternation. Schottenheimer can not win the big ones. We are talking history here, not speculation.


57 posted on 02/12/2007 8:13:46 PM PST by thegreatbeast (Avenge Curt Weldon!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Terpfen

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.


58 posted on 02/12/2007 8:13:56 PM PST by free me
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: onyx
I sure shall ---- count on it.

If Smith gets his ass kicked, I'll think of you and that phone call. LOL

59 posted on 02/12/2007 8:15:14 PM PST by BigSkyFreeper (There is no alternative to the GOP except varying degrees of insanity)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: BigSkyFreeper

btt


60 posted on 02/12/2007 8:15:32 PM PST by Ciexyz (In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:6)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121-135 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson