WyomingGrizFan
Well-known member
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2763552
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Marty Schottenheimer fired at San Diego
- Thread starter WyomingGrizFan
- Start date
SuperHornet
Well-known member
A.J. Smith is a complete dumb-a$$. Regardless of any feelings about playcalling, you just don't fire a guy who went 14-2. Especially on the heels of YOU dumping the two best QBs in the leauge. Don't blame Marty for YOUR shortcomings, A.J.
I really think that one could "borrow" Kurt Angle's entrance music Medal when A.J. comes in the room. Perfect setup for whatever people are present to start the "You Suck!" chant just like when Angle comes in.
I just don't get how one town can have TWO ignoramus GMs. Kevin Towers is another piece of work.
I really think that one could "borrow" Kurt Angle's entrance music Medal when A.J. comes in the room. Perfect setup for whatever people are present to start the "You Suck!" chant just like when Angle comes in.
I just don't get how one town can have TWO ignoramus GMs. Kevin Towers is another piece of work.
ALPHAGRIZ1
Well-known member
Best decision Dean Spanos has made since he took over.
San Diego will be very hard to beat next year if they stay healthy.
MS can get you competitive but he is the biggest coaching bust in the playoffs ever, he just dropped below Peyton.
San Diego will be very hard to beat next year if they stay healthy.
MS can get you competitive but he is the biggest coaching bust in the playoffs ever, he just dropped below Peyton.
Grizbacker1
Well-known member
SuperHornet said:
Who is Kurt Angle?
There are plenty of people on this board who would fire someone for going 12-2.
SuperHornet
Well-known member
Nah, cc, I think that most around here would rather put Phenicie in a dumpster a la Eric Bischoff rather than Hauck.
And, yes, I did get the idea that Hauck might bail for SD. But on second thought, why in the heck would he go work for a martinet GM? Word is that Schottenheimer tried several times to break through the impasse, but all he ever got was, "I don't want to talk about it."
BTW, Double X Radio in SD is reporting that the straw that broke the camel's back was a dispute over the intended new DC: Smith wanted Ted Cottrell, while Marty wanted to hire his son Kurt. Both have decent resumes. You decide.
Still, I think that the wrong guy got fired.
And, yes, I did get the idea that Hauck might bail for SD. But on second thought, why in the heck would he go work for a martinet GM? Word is that Schottenheimer tried several times to break through the impasse, but all he ever got was, "I don't want to talk about it."
BTW, Double X Radio in SD is reporting that the straw that broke the camel's back was a dispute over the intended new DC: Smith wanted Ted Cottrell, while Marty wanted to hire his son Kurt. Both have decent resumes. You decide.
Still, I think that the wrong guy got fired.
SuperHornet said:
so instead of finding a new DC they are finding a new DC and HC...
<cue guiness commertial guys>
BRILLIENT!
Everyone around San Diego and the NFL knew the Marty Schottenheimer-A.J. Smith relationship was destined to explode. The Chargers had a ticking time bomb of discontent that finally blew up Monday night when the coach was fired.
Schottenheimer couldn't get along with general manager Smith and vice versa. Such problems exist in the NFL, but these situations are usually not as well publicized as this spat. Smith and Schottenheimer coexisted in the coach's first year in San Diego in 2002. In 2003, the relationship started to deteriorate. Schottenheimer made recommendations that year on personnel matters, and Smith disagreed. By 2005, Smith was working around Schottenheimer on personnel matters and even some coaching decisions. By March 2006, the two didn't speak.
Matthew Emmons/US PRESSWIRE
Marty Schottenheimer has turned around a number of teams. Now he's out.
Despite those problems, the Chargers went 14-2 last season with 15 players who were either selected to the Pro Bowl or named as alternates. Now, with 31 coaching staffs mostly filled and most organizations shifting their attention to free agency, Smith and the Chargers are scrambling to find a head coach and a staff.
According to sources, the final straw in Schottenheimer's surprise ending came down to how he was handling his coaching staff. The staff was being raided. Wade Phillips (Dallas Cowboys) and Cam Cameron (Miami Dolphins) were given head coaching jobs. Nothing could have been done to stop that. Teams can't block an assistant from interviewing for a head coaching job, but they can stop an assistant under contract from interviewing for a non-head coaching job.
The final conflict came down to whether to let assistants interview. Sources indicate Smith denied permission for tight ends coach Rob Chudzinski to interview for the Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator job, but Schottenheimer felt it was a good opportunity and wanted to allow it. Schottenheimer also let linebackers coach Greg Manusky interview and accept the 49ers' defensive coordinator job. Against Smith's wishes, Schottenheimer let assistant strength and conditioning coach Matt Schiotz go with Cameron to Miami.
The Chargers were down five key assistants. After San Diego's playoff loss to the Patriots, Chargers owner Dean Spanos spent three days trying to decide whether to keep Schottenheimer, who was entering the final year of his contract. He offered him a one-year extension at $4.5 million. Schottenheimer wanted more security than that and said no. Spanos decided to stay with Schottenheimer, who has 200 regular-season wins, knowing he had one of the most talented coaching staffs in the NFL.
The landscape changed for Spanos after the departure of the five coaches, including two coordinators. Schottenheimer and Smith weren't going to get along. Without the assistants, Schottenheimer apparently wasn't as appealing to Spanos.
Thanks, but no thanks
Best win percentage for coach in final season with team (in Super Bowl era):
Coach Team Rec. Pct.
Marty Schottenheimer 2006 Chargers 14-2 0.875
John Rauch 1968 Raiders 12-2 0.857
Dick Vermeil 1999 Rams 13-3 0.813
Bill Parcells 1990 Giants 13-3 0.813
Paul Brown 1975 Bengals 11-3 0.786
"When I decided to move ahead with Marty Schottenheimer in mid-January, I did so with the expectation that the core of his fine coaching staff would remain intact," Spanos said. "Unfortunately, that did not prove to be the case and 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. In short, this entire process over the last month convinced me beyond any doubt that I had to act to change this untenable situation and create an environment where everyone at Charger Park would be pulling in the same direction and working at a championship level. I expect exactly that from our entire Charger organization in 2007."
While confirming he had no working relationship with Smith, Schottenheimer seemed puzzled that Spanos made the coach take the fall for his assistants leaving.
"That is absolutely unfair in my view," Schottenheimer told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "We had no control over two guys who became head coaches in this league. We gave two guys an opportunity to be coordinators in this league. We've added a couple of guys that people should be very pleased with. The future coach will be very pleased as well."
Spanos has been through this before. General manager Bobby Beathard didn't get along with coach Bobby Ross after they went to a Super Bowl. It's a shame, but these things do happen.
Schottenheimer is one of the great turnaround coaches in the history of the league. He's been successful in every stop as a head coach. Smith has quickly proven to be one of the shrewdest personnel minds in the game. When Eli Manning balked at coming to San Diego, Spanos traded him to the Giants and ended up with three Pro Bowl players -- Shawne Merriman, Philip Rivers and Nate Kaeding.
Spanos tried to squeeze one more season out of this strained relationship. "In the plainest possible language, we have a dysfunctional situation here," Spanos said in his statement.
Cameron and Phillips, in Spanos' eyes, kept the dysfunctional ship sailing in the right direction. Their departures, along with the other assistants, changed the dynamics.
Cameron and Phillips would have been candidates to replace Schottenheimer had he been fired, but those options are gone.
Smith is putting a list together and must move quickly. No doubt, he will put in a call to Chicago to talk to Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. After that, the search will be wide open. Don't expect Bill Cowher's name to surface here. The former Steelers coach is one of Schottenheimer's best friends.
Spanos will pay Schottenheimer $4 million not to coach this year. It's not out of the question for him to surface in 2008 following a 2007 season that should have eight to 10 coaching changes.
The Chargers had been sitting on an uncertain powder keg. The loss of the assistants lit a fuse. Now, the Chargers are scrambling to repair the damage in the coaching offices.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=2763623
Schottenheimer couldn't get along with general manager Smith and vice versa. Such problems exist in the NFL, but these situations are usually not as well publicized as this spat. Smith and Schottenheimer coexisted in the coach's first year in San Diego in 2002. In 2003, the relationship started to deteriorate. Schottenheimer made recommendations that year on personnel matters, and Smith disagreed. By 2005, Smith was working around Schottenheimer on personnel matters and even some coaching decisions. By March 2006, the two didn't speak.
Matthew Emmons/US PRESSWIRE
Marty Schottenheimer has turned around a number of teams. Now he's out.
Despite those problems, the Chargers went 14-2 last season with 15 players who were either selected to the Pro Bowl or named as alternates. Now, with 31 coaching staffs mostly filled and most organizations shifting their attention to free agency, Smith and the Chargers are scrambling to find a head coach and a staff.
According to sources, the final straw in Schottenheimer's surprise ending came down to how he was handling his coaching staff. The staff was being raided. Wade Phillips (Dallas Cowboys) and Cam Cameron (Miami Dolphins) were given head coaching jobs. Nothing could have been done to stop that. Teams can't block an assistant from interviewing for a head coaching job, but they can stop an assistant under contract from interviewing for a non-head coaching job.
The final conflict came down to whether to let assistants interview. Sources indicate Smith denied permission for tight ends coach Rob Chudzinski to interview for the Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator job, but Schottenheimer felt it was a good opportunity and wanted to allow it. Schottenheimer also let linebackers coach Greg Manusky interview and accept the 49ers' defensive coordinator job. Against Smith's wishes, Schottenheimer let assistant strength and conditioning coach Matt Schiotz go with Cameron to Miami.
The Chargers were down five key assistants. After San Diego's playoff loss to the Patriots, Chargers owner Dean Spanos spent three days trying to decide whether to keep Schottenheimer, who was entering the final year of his contract. He offered him a one-year extension at $4.5 million. Schottenheimer wanted more security than that and said no. Spanos decided to stay with Schottenheimer, who has 200 regular-season wins, knowing he had one of the most talented coaching staffs in the NFL.
The landscape changed for Spanos after the departure of the five coaches, including two coordinators. Schottenheimer and Smith weren't going to get along. Without the assistants, Schottenheimer apparently wasn't as appealing to Spanos.
Thanks, but no thanks
Best win percentage for coach in final season with team (in Super Bowl era):
Coach Team Rec. Pct.
Marty Schottenheimer 2006 Chargers 14-2 0.875
John Rauch 1968 Raiders 12-2 0.857
Dick Vermeil 1999 Rams 13-3 0.813
Bill Parcells 1990 Giants 13-3 0.813
Paul Brown 1975 Bengals 11-3 0.786
"When I decided to move ahead with Marty Schottenheimer in mid-January, I did so with the expectation that the core of his fine coaching staff would remain intact," Spanos said. "Unfortunately, that did not prove to be the case and 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. In short, this entire process over the last month convinced me beyond any doubt that I had to act to change this untenable situation and create an environment where everyone at Charger Park would be pulling in the same direction and working at a championship level. I expect exactly that from our entire Charger organization in 2007."
While confirming he had no working relationship with Smith, Schottenheimer seemed puzzled that Spanos made the coach take the fall for his assistants leaving.
"That is absolutely unfair in my view," Schottenheimer told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "We had no control over two guys who became head coaches in this league. We gave two guys an opportunity to be coordinators in this league. We've added a couple of guys that people should be very pleased with. The future coach will be very pleased as well."
Spanos has been through this before. General manager Bobby Beathard didn't get along with coach Bobby Ross after they went to a Super Bowl. It's a shame, but these things do happen.
Schottenheimer is one of the great turnaround coaches in the history of the league. He's been successful in every stop as a head coach. Smith has quickly proven to be one of the shrewdest personnel minds in the game. When Eli Manning balked at coming to San Diego, Spanos traded him to the Giants and ended up with three Pro Bowl players -- Shawne Merriman, Philip Rivers and Nate Kaeding.
Spanos tried to squeeze one more season out of this strained relationship. "In the plainest possible language, we have a dysfunctional situation here," Spanos said in his statement.
Cameron and Phillips, in Spanos' eyes, kept the dysfunctional ship sailing in the right direction. Their departures, along with the other assistants, changed the dynamics.
Cameron and Phillips would have been candidates to replace Schottenheimer had he been fired, but those options are gone.
Smith is putting a list together and must move quickly. No doubt, he will put in a call to Chicago to talk to Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera. After that, the search will be wide open. Don't expect Bill Cowher's name to surface here. The former Steelers coach is one of Schottenheimer's best friends.
Spanos will pay Schottenheimer $4 million not to coach this year. It's not out of the question for him to surface in 2008 following a 2007 season that should have eight to 10 coaching changes.
The Chargers had been sitting on an uncertain powder keg. The loss of the assistants lit a fuse. Now, the Chargers are scrambling to repair the damage in the coaching offices.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=2763623
SuperHornet
Well-known member
There was some speculation by callers to Double X yesterday that the firing was timed to prevent Schottenheimer from landing any of the other open jobs. The hosts seemed to pooh-pooh that idea, but somehow, knowing how shady Smith has been in the past, I wouldn't put it past him. It sounds like he has the Spanos', particularly Dean, in his back pocket. Of course, with the Spanos' as corrupt as they are, it may well be more of a tripartite pact instead.
ALPHAGRIZ1
Well-known member
What makes you say the Spanos' are corrupt? I know very little about Dean but his father Alex seems like a hell of a good guy and an amazing business man. I read his books and ever since I have admired him and the way he treats people.
Do tell about the corruptness, I would be intereste to know about that.
:thumb:
Do tell about the corruptness, I would be intereste to know about that.
:thumb:
SuperHornet
Well-known member
You wouldn't believe all the streets he's had named after him in Stockton alone. It got so bad that the negative publicity caused at least one proposal to be withdrawn.
The Spanos' are absolutely destroying this team. They essentially kicked one of the best LBs in history out of town. You don't do that, especially when the guy grew up there. They said that he was done, but he's had many great years since. They consitently raise ticket prices, and now they're talking of moving the team. That talk has gone on for several years now, including talk not too long ago of moving them back to LA. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if he bribed the 'Niners and Raiders to waive territorial rights so he could move the Chargers to Stockton. They dumped the two best QBs in the league in a two-year span and were left with an untested guy. I for one am still not sold on Rivers and I'm still put off with the arrogant way he came into town. The worst, though, is the fact that they blatantly sided with the most corrupt and ignorant GM in pro sports. Given that Smith wanted nothing to do with resolving the impasse with Schottenheimer, one could say that SMITH either started it or was not willing to do anything to fix it, making SMITH the logical one to hit the bricks.
Smith and ALL of the Spanos' ought to be gone.
This isn't to say that I'm completely on Marty's jock. I'm not too thrilled with the way he has set up Nate Kaeding for failure on more than one occasion. But the comparison to the way the team is now compared to before he got there in spite of the best efforts of the Donald Sterling-wannabe douchebags running the show is like night and day. I wouldn't be surprised, even given the level of talent with Tomlinson and Gates, if SD were 2-14 next year.
The Spanos' are absolutely destroying this team. They essentially kicked one of the best LBs in history out of town. You don't do that, especially when the guy grew up there. They said that he was done, but he's had many great years since. They consitently raise ticket prices, and now they're talking of moving the team. That talk has gone on for several years now, including talk not too long ago of moving them back to LA. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised if he bribed the 'Niners and Raiders to waive territorial rights so he could move the Chargers to Stockton. They dumped the two best QBs in the league in a two-year span and were left with an untested guy. I for one am still not sold on Rivers and I'm still put off with the arrogant way he came into town. The worst, though, is the fact that they blatantly sided with the most corrupt and ignorant GM in pro sports. Given that Smith wanted nothing to do with resolving the impasse with Schottenheimer, one could say that SMITH either started it or was not willing to do anything to fix it, making SMITH the logical one to hit the bricks.
Smith and ALL of the Spanos' ought to be gone.
This isn't to say that I'm completely on Marty's jock. I'm not too thrilled with the way he has set up Nate Kaeding for failure on more than one occasion. But the comparison to the way the team is now compared to before he got there in spite of the best efforts of the Donald Sterling-wannabe douchebags running the show is like night and day. I wouldn't be surprised, even given the level of talent with Tomlinson and Gates, if SD were 2-14 next year.
ALPHAGRIZ1
Well-known member
So they fire a guy that can't get it done and hire another guy that can't get it done? Maybe they don't really get it.
The Chargers are going to understand how the Griz fans feel now.
All the talent in the world and it's wasted because of a completely inept coaching staff.
The Chargers are going to understand how the Griz fans feel now.
All the talent in the world and it's wasted because of a completely inept coaching staff.
WyomingGrizFan
Well-known member
Maybe the third times a charm. Norv Turner hired as HC of San Diego with Ted Cottrell hired as the DC.
But I don't think I'd enjoy working for that GM Smith though. He only got the position because his predecessor died; not like he actually earned it. IMHO
But I don't think I'd enjoy working for that GM Smith though. He only got the position because his predecessor died; not like he actually earned it. IMHO
ALPHAGRIZ1
Well-known member
Yeah and maybe Denny Green will turn around the next team he coaches, I ill keep waiting fo that to happen.
Maybe Wade Phillips will...................nevermind.
Epstein, Cashman, and a whole host of other 30 something wonders never earned their way to the positions they have either. It's all about who you know.
Maybe Wade Phillips will...................nevermind.
Epstein, Cashman, and a whole host of other 30 something wonders never earned their way to the positions they have either. It's all about who you know.
SuperHornet
Well-known member
ALPHAGRIZ1 said:
Sorry I gotta disagree with you here, Alpha. Unfortunately, out of deference for some of my favorite eGriz folk, I'll have to take a pass on rephrasing that to reflect the actual truth.
:shocked:
