Marty Schottenheimer's journey in professional football began as a player before transitioning into a long and storied coaching career. Born on September 23, 1943, in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, Schottenheimer played college football at the University of Pittsburgh. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 1965 AFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills and also by the Baltimore Colts in the NFL Draft. Opting for the AFL, he played as a linebacker for the Bills and later for the Boston Patriots, showcasing his skills on the field until 1970.
After retiring as a player, Schottenheimer moved into coaching, starting as an assistant coach with the Portland Storm of the World Football League in 1974. His NFL coaching career began in earnest with the New York Giants in 1975, where he served as a linebackers coach. He then joined the Detroit Lions in a similar capacity before moving to the Cleveland Browns in 1980 as their defensive coordinator.
In 1984, Schottenheimer was promoted to head coach of the Browns, marking the beginning of his head coaching career in the NFL. Under his leadership, the Browns became a competitive team, making the playoffs in four consecutive seasons from 1985 to 1988. His tenure with the Browns was highlighted by two AFC Championship Game appearances, although the team fell short of reaching the Super Bowl.
Schottenheimer's coaching philosophy, often referred to as "Martyball," emphasized a strong running game and solid defense. This approach was evident throughout his career and became a hallmark of the teams he coached. After parting ways with the Browns in 1988, he quickly found a new opportunity with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1989.
During his decade-long stint with the Chiefs, Schottenheimer transformed the team into a consistent playoff contender. The Chiefs made the playoffs seven times under his guidance, including an appearance in the AFC Championship Game in the 1993 season. His ability to build competitive teams was evident, although a Super Bowl appearance eluded him.
In 1999, Schottenheimer took on the role of head coach for the Washington Redskins. His time there was brief, lasting only one season, but he managed to lead the team to an 8-8 record after a slow start. Following his departure from Washington, he took a year off from coaching before returning to the NFL with the San Diego Chargers in 2002.
Schottenheimer's tenure with the Chargers was marked by a remarkable turnaround. In 2004, he led the team to a 12-4 record and an AFC West division title. The Chargers continued to improve, and in 2006, they finished with a league-best 14-2 record. Despite their regular-season success, the Chargers were unable to advance past the divisional round of the playoffs, leading to Schottenheimer's departure from the team.
Throughout his coaching career, Schottenheimer was known for his ability to develop strong teams and his emphasis on discipline and fundamentals. He ranks among the winningest coaches in NFL history, with a career record of 200-126-1 in the regular season. However, his teams often struggled in the postseason, with a playoff record of 5-13.
Marty Schottenheimer's legacy in football is defined by his regular-season success and his influence on the game through his coaching style.
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