Former NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer passed away on Monday after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for several years. He was 77.
Schottenheimer was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014. He was moved to a hospice facility near his home in Charlotte, North Carolina on January 30 due to complications due to the irreversible, progressive brain disorder.
Schottenheimer has been a head coach in the NFL for 21 seasons, and has been the leader of the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, Washington and the Chargers.
He posted a 205-139-1 career record, including the playoffs, leading his teams 13 times to the post-season. Although Schottenheimer coached in three AFC championship games, two with the Browns and one with the Chiefs, he never reached a Super Bowl.
His NFL coaching career ended in 2006 after a 14-2 season with the Chargers and a division round from the playoffs.
Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson played with the Chargers under Schottenheimer for five seasons, calling him ‘the best coach I’ve ever had’.
“I never had a game with Marty as a coach, and felt like I was not quite ready to win,” Tomlinson said. “He really wanted you to understand every detail of the game plan. I considered him a true All-American man. He was a great father figure, and I was happy that my wife and I got to know him and him. . [his wife] Go beyond the typical relationship between players and coaches. He was a well-rounded man. He cares more for the man than for the athlete. I will remember him more for the life lessons he taught me. ‘
Schottenheimer also played six seasons as a linebacker for the Buffalo Bills (1965 to 1968) and Patriots (1969 to 1970).
He is survived by his wife, Pat, two children, Kristin and Brian, and four grandchildren.
Brian Schottenheimer recently agreed to become the Jacksonville Jaguars ‘pass coordinator, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter after previously serving as the Seattle Seahawks’ attacking coordinator.
“We know he looks down at us from heaven and smiles,” his daughter said. “We are so incredibly proud of the man he was and how he lived his life.”