‘Martyball’ Remains in San Diego
Despite compiling the best record in the NFL this past season at 14-2 and then making a quick exit via a loss last Sunday to the Patriots, I learned today that San Diego head coach Marty Schottenheimer will return to the Chargers’ sideline for the 2007 season. Here’s a statement released by Bolts’ President and CEO Dean Spanos:
“I have decided that Marty Schottenheimer is the best person to lead the Chargers in the 2007 season. General Manager A.J. Smith and I agree on this fundamental point. That is why we are pleased to welcome Marty and his coaching staff back for Marty’s sixth season as head coach of the San Diego Chargers.
“We are all bitterly disappointed how this season ended, but we can’t allow our disappointment to cloud the achievements of our franchise over the past few years. Only two teams have won more regular season games over the past three years than the Chargers. We have 24 key players under long-term contracts through at least 2009. This is a fine young team, with great chemistry, and right now stability is important for this team. I’m already looking forward to next season.
“That is why we are also offering one-year contract extensions for Coach Schottenheimer’s staff, through 2008. We also offered a one-year $4.5 million contract extension to Marty, with a team option buy-out of $1 million for the 2008 season. He decided not to accept this extension, and I respect his decision.
“Now it is time to put this issue behind us and move forward together. That is what I told both Marty and A.J. when I met with them this afternoon. The entire Chargers family will do whatever it takes to bring a championship to San Diego.”
I think Coach Schottenheimer is very fortunate to be invited back. Do not underestimate the anguish of that surprising playoff loss. With the aforementioned best record in football, the week off and home field, and with the immense amount of talent (ten pro bowlers) on that team, it was indeed a bitter, bitter pill to swallow for not only the San Diego football team, but for the entire region. Sure, Coach wasn’t on the field dropping passes, missing field goals or committing turnovers (all snafus in this particular loss), but let’s face it — his playoff record is now 5-13 and that is a glaring reality no matter how much Dean Spanos wants to highlight his team’s recent regular season achievements.
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POSTED IN: San Diego Chargers
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