Marty Schottenheimer

Marty Schottenheimer: NFL head coach with 205 career wins, most among coaches without a championship.

Martin Edward Schottenheimer (September 23, 1943 – February 8, 2021) was an American professional football linebacker and coach who served as a head coach in the National Football League (NFL) for 21 seasons. He was the head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 1984 to 1988, the Kansas City Chiefs from 1989 to 1998, the Washington Redskins in 2001, and the San Diego Chargers from 2002 to 2006. Eighth in career wins at 205 and seventh in regular season wins at 200, Schottenheimer has the most wins among the league's head coaches to not win an NFL championship. After coaching in the NFL, he won a 2011 championship in his one season with the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League (UFL). He was inducted to the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Honor in 2010.

Quick Facts

Position: Linebacker
Born: 23 September 1943
Birthplace: Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died: 8 February 2021
Place of death: Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
High school: Fort Cherry (McDonald, Pennsylvania)
College: Pittsburgh (1961–1964)
Draft year: 1965

Lore & Background

Schottenheimer was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. He attended high school at Fort Cherry High School in McDonald, Pennsylvania, then went to the University of Pittsburgh and played on their football team from 1961 to 1964, earning second-team All-American honors as a senior. He was selected in the fourth round of the 1965 NFL draft by the Baltimore Colts and in the seventh round of the 1965 American Football League draft by the Buffalo Bills. He signed with the Bills and spent the next four seasons with Buffalo, including as a backup on the Bills' 1965 AFL Championship squad.

Schottenheimer earned an AFL All-Star selection as part of that year's format change naming the entire Bills squad as All-Stars. He was still with the team during the 1969 preseason and intercepted two passes in a game against the Houston Oilers. Some time between the 1969 preseason and regular season, Schottenheimer was sent to the Boston Patriots and spent the next two seasons with the Patriots. He was traded twice in two months prior to the start of the 1971 season, first to the Pittsburgh Steelers for Mike Haggerty in July, then to the Baltimore Colts for an undisclosed 1972 draft pick on 27 August.

Schottenheimer retired from football in 1971 and spent the next several years working in the real estate industry. He came out of retirement in 1974 to sign with the Portland Storm of the World Football League as a player-coach. He injured his shoulder prior to the start of the season, but stayed on with the Storm as their linebackers coach. His professional coaching career began in 1974 when he became linebackers coach for the Portland Storm.

In 1975, he was hired as a linebackers coach for the NFL's New York Giants and in 1977 became defensive coordinator. Schottenheimer spent 1978 and 1979 as the linebackers coach for the NFL's Detroit Lions. In 1980, he was hired as the defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns. On October 22, 1984, Schottenheimer replaced Sam Rutigliano as Browns head coach.

The 1–7 Browns then went 4–4 under Schottenheimer to finish the season with a 5–11 record. With Schottenheimer, Bernie Kosar and many skilled players, the team achieved greater success. Though they became consistent playoff contenders, the Browns did not reach the Super Bowl, falling one win short three times in the next four seasons.

Reader's Guide

Schottenheimer was head coach of the Cleveland Browns (1984–1988), Kansas City Chiefs (1989–1998), Washington Redskins (2001), and San Diego Chargers (2002–2006). He was named NFL Coach of the Year with the Chargers in 2004 for leading a team that went 4–12 the previous year to a 12–4 record. He concluded his NFL career with a .613 regular season winning percentage, but a .278 playoff winning percentage, which is the only losing playoff record for an NFL coach with at least 200 wins. He, Dan Reeves, and Bill Belichick are the only eligible NFL coaches with at least 200 regular season wins who has not been inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Marty Schottenheimer?

He served as the head coach for the Chargers during the late 1970s and early 1980s, playing a pivotal role in stabilizing the franchise. His leadership helped re-establish the team's identity after several turbulent seasons prior to his arrival.

When did Marty Schottenheimer start with the Chargers?

He began his head coaching tenure during the 1979 season, marking the beginning of a significant chapter for the organization. His steady hand guided the squad through a period where they began to re-establish their identity as a potent force.