Chargers Fire Schottenheimer

[Tickle Fiend]

From ESPN.com:
Sources: Chargers head coach Schottenheimer fired


Sources close to Marty Schottenheimer and the San Diego Chargers said the coach was fired by the team Monday, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported.

Schottenheimer and Chargers general manager A.J. Smith have been having disagreements over staffing after losing a number of assistants. Dean Spanos, the team president, told Schottenheimer on Monday that it wasn't going to work between him and Smith.

Three days after the Chargers melted down in a stunning 24-21 playoff loss to New England, Spanos decided that bringing Schottenheimer back for the final year of his contract gave San Diego its best chance to win.

Schottenheimer, though, declined the team's offer of a one-year extension for 2008 worth $4.5 million, with a $1 million buyout.

"Right now, I wasn't comfortable accepting it," Schottenheimer told the Associated Press shortly after the season. He would have earned more than $3 million in 2007.

With a regular-season record of 200-126-1 with Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington and San Diego, Schottenheimer is the most successful coach never to have reached the Super Bowl.

 

[unclebill]

I have a feeling a big name is going to surface as a coaching candidate in the coming days. What a job!!! Taking over a team that finished 14-2. I think I could lead them to at least 11 wins.

 

[primetime]

that sucks ol' Marty got fired, but damn, where do i put in my application? talk about a great job. the Chargers are already a championship contender with the best RB in football, the best defensive player, a young good QB, a good O-line and D-line, good special teams, SUNSHINE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA and a godo fan base, this is a dream job! i think i will put in my app! after all, Lane Kiffin got a job, why cant i? i would be excited to be a figure head....

 

[bellystrokes]

According to San Diego news, Mike Singletary will be in town for interviews Wed, Feb 14. Other candidates are said to include Ron Rivera and Rex Ryan.

 

[giantfan121262]

If San Diego is committed to taking a team to the next level, I think Singletary would be an excellent fit. I am not sure if he is cut out to be a head coach, but one thing he brings to the table is that he knows how to win. There is something to be said for that. When you play for a Super Bowl champion Bears team in 1985, and a perennial play off team in years around that, you know what it takes to get it done. Plus, he is intelligent and well spoken, and I don't think he will take any crap in the locker room (not that there are any troublemakers on the Chargers). I also think he can take Shawnne Merriman to another level, which is scary.

I still remember Singletary's hit on Eric Dickerson on 4th and inches.

 

[Knox The Hatter]

What I like is how this organization's not afraid to make a move like this...giving Singletary, with no NFL head coaching experience, a 14-2 team to work with. It's a bold move. Wow, and to think they could've had Eli!

I say, go for it.

 

[giantfan121262]

Wow, and to think they could've had Eli!

I am almost beginning to think that SD are the ones coming out better from that trade. This year is the moment of truth. With Tiki gone, the spotlight shifts to Eli. So far, he has not demonstrated that he can carry the Giants on his shoulders. I hope he breaks through. Rivers has put up good numbers with the Chargers, but if LT ripped his knee (God forbid) and had to sit out the season, can Rivers do the same?

Getting back to topic, I noticed that all 5 candidates had won a super bowl ring as a coach or a player.

 

[kis123]

As far as Marty is concerned, he can come back to Cleveland anytime-Romeo has been a real disappointment to me.

But, we'll fire Romeo and run him out of town then go to another team and win numerous Super Bowls with someone else (sound familiar anyone?).

I've come to the conclusion that Cleveland is merely a farm team and stepping stone on the path of greatness.

And Eli Manning is a punk and a big baby-I can never get behind him after his whining in the draft. I bet he wants that one back!

 

[Coffee]

As a huge football fan i have to chime in here. I think marty should have been given more time. He is a coach that i really want to see win the superbowl. I like his style of football. Much like Bill Cower in Pittsburg before they won the superbowl i was rooting for him to win one. I just like his stlye of coaching. No BS just straight forward no nonsense. As a Giants fan i hope next year eithr Bill or Marty come to NY.

 

[giantfan121262]

As a Giants fan i hope next year eithr Bill or Marty come to NY.

I would take Cower in a heartbeat.

 

[german]

looks like good ol' Norv is the chargers new HC

Priest

 

[giantfan121262]

and that is a step ion the right direction? You have to be kidding me!!