NFL coaching icon Marty Schottenheimer, known for his distinctive “Martyball” coaching approach, passed away at the age of 77. He died in a hospice in Charlotte, North Carolina on Monday after receiving care there for a month.
In the history of NFL coaching, Schottenheimer ranks eighth in total wins. Over his 21-season coaching career, he led teams such as the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, and the Washington Redskins (now named the Washington Football Team).
Schottenheimer’s teams excelled in the regular season, securing 10 or more wins in 11 out of 16 regular season games multiple times. However, his playoff success was limited. In his final playoff game in January 2007, Schottenheimer’s Chargers, boasting a 14-2 record and NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson, suffered a 24-21 loss to the New England Patriots.
Following this defeat, Chargers owner Dean Spanos dismissed Schottenheimer, with reported tension between the coach and the team’s general manager, AJ Smith being a significant factor.
Schottenheimer’s coaching prowess was characterized by his “one play at a time” approach. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014.
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