packers11
01-17-2007, 06:44 PM
SAN DIEGO -- Marty Schottenheimer will return as coach of the San Diego Chargers next season, but turned down the team's offer to exercise a one-year club option for 2008 worth $4.5 million.
Three days after the talented Chargers melted down in a 24-21 playoff loss to New England, team president Dean Spanos announced that the embattled coach will be back for the final year of his contact.
Speculation grew following Sunday's loss that Schottenheimer might be fired due in part to the front office's expectations of a Super Bowl run, and to the coach's icy relationship with general manager A.J. Smith.
"I have decided that Marty Schottenheimer is the best person to lead the Chargers in the 2007 season," Spanos said in a statement Wednesday. "General Manager A.J. Smith and I agree on this fundamental point."
Schottenheimer is under contract for $3.8 million this coming season.
"He decided not to accept [the] extension and I respect his decision," Spanos said.
Schottenheimer, the most successful coach never to reach the Super Bowl, didn't give a specific reason for declining the extension.
"I'm very comfortable with fulfilling the contract I signed several years ago," he said at a news conference.
Spanos and Smith did not attend the news conference.
The Chargers failed to advance in the playoffs despite their NFL-best 14-2 record.
Schottenheimer's career playoff record dropped to 5-13.
Information from The Associated Press and ESPN Insider Chris Mortensen was used in this report.
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That's good... I hope next year he sees the patriots again and they absolutely destroy them at foxboro and dance on their symbol... I know they play in the regular season, but the playoff would be more fitting... :mrgreen:
Three days after the talented Chargers melted down in a 24-21 playoff loss to New England, team president Dean Spanos announced that the embattled coach will be back for the final year of his contact.
Speculation grew following Sunday's loss that Schottenheimer might be fired due in part to the front office's expectations of a Super Bowl run, and to the coach's icy relationship with general manager A.J. Smith.
"I have decided that Marty Schottenheimer is the best person to lead the Chargers in the 2007 season," Spanos said in a statement Wednesday. "General Manager A.J. Smith and I agree on this fundamental point."
Schottenheimer is under contract for $3.8 million this coming season.
"He decided not to accept [the] extension and I respect his decision," Spanos said.
Schottenheimer, the most successful coach never to reach the Super Bowl, didn't give a specific reason for declining the extension.
"I'm very comfortable with fulfilling the contract I signed several years ago," he said at a news conference.
Spanos and Smith did not attend the news conference.
The Chargers failed to advance in the playoffs despite their NFL-best 14-2 record.
Schottenheimer's career playoff record dropped to 5-13.
Information from The Associated Press and ESPN Insider Chris Mortensen was used in this report.
__________________________________________________ ____________________
That's good... I hope next year he sees the patriots again and they absolutely destroy them at foxboro and dance on their symbol... I know they play in the regular season, but the playoff would be more fitting... :mrgreen: