No way - Marty has been at least somewhat successful everywhere he's ever been. There is no reason to think he wouldn't have had Washington better off than it was when he got there.

His choice of coordinators doomed him.

Either that, or Daniel Snyder being a 'tard.

Say what you will about his postseason Hindenburgs, but Marty can build a strong team, regardless of his staff. I'm glad he's not in San Diego any more.

Hopefully they'll hire Pete "Can't win in the NFL" Carroll.

As I posted a few spots earlier, the riff between Marty and Smith didn't become intolerable until they had to start finding replacements for the coaches that had left. Mainly, it was the decision by Marty to bring in his brother Kurt for the defensive coordinator spot that was the straw that broke the camel's back.

However, after reading the Chargers board, many are starting to think that Marty intentionally did that to put Spanos on the spot. Marty wasn't given a contract extension like he wanted and Marty and AJ Smith haven't been on speaking terms for quite sometime. It might of just been a case of Marty knowing that by bringing his brother into the picture he would force the owner to choose between himself and Smith, which is what happened.

Marty actually proposed bringing Kurt on as defensive coordinator? Wow. Now I wish that Marty had been able to win and stay on.

LMAO, I miss all the good stuff.

Martyocre is gone, the Chargers may be a legitimate playoff threat next year.

Sounds plausible to me.

I feel sorry for Marty he is a great coach but he just can't seem to win playoff games.

Can we get some cites on this?
Sportscenter this morning expressly stated "disagreement about the elevation of certain coaches on staff to vacated coordinator positions."
Not saying it isn't true, but it's not consistent with ESPN reporting this AM.

On Cold Pizza today, I forget who the reporter was, but he said that Marty wanted to bring in Kurt and the management didn't want to. Marty then pointed out that he had a clause in his contract allowing him to hire whatever staff he wants. In response, the Chargers fired him. It was the last straw.

Marty wasn't fired. His employment was not extended since he refused the payment of $4 Million for one year of service.

Marty definitely was fired.

You may be on to something. You must remember those rumors from when Cower stepped aside.

That would worry me if Cowher took control of that talent.

Cowher just resigned from one of the cornerstone franchises of the NFL. SD will call and he will laugh.

I haven't read all of the posts on this thread but am I the only one that thinks Schottenheimer is unfairly maligned?

Don't get me wrong. I believe that much of the criticism directed at Marty is fair. But it just seems like it often goes beyond the point of objectivity. Sure, he hasn't won the big one. But that doesn't cloud the fact that Marino is still a great quarterback or that Derrick Thomas is a HOF caliber player.

Would I want Marty to be my Super Bowl Coach over Bill Bilechick? No.

But I don't think he deserves the hatred he gets from Chiefs fans. I mean, he brought back defense and toughness to the chiefs. He led the return of pride to the club. Our expectations are far greater than they would have been without Marty's accomplishments.

I liked Marty. And I'd take my chances with him before I would a lot of coaches in this league. I hope like hell that someday he gets his championship. He deserves it.

Cowher is not gonna do it, he was the longest tenured coach in the NFL. When he says he wants a break from the grind to spend time with his kids, i believe him.

Eggo would take him even farther away from home than Pitt, its not gonna happen...be thankful.

My money says Rivera is a lock, though they better atleast give Singletary a chance to state his case.

Either way, as cdcox said, we will get a 1 year bounce outta this as the dolts regain their bearings.

If I had a historically bad NFL franchise like Houston or Arizona, Marty would be the first guy I would call. He has a way of making guys want to earn their paycheck.

Well said.

He only deserves a championship when he earns it.

He has failed to advance in the playoffs, and therefore doesn't deserve jack.

I absolutely agree with this.

I think you are wrong on this one.

the chargers are in the market for a new stadium. spanos throws a ton of money at carroll, energizes the fan base. a new stadium deal gets done.

I think you are right on this one.

I second that eloquent statement.

Which us Chief fans are still stuck in that clock mis-management crap. :cuss:

The Chargers will reportedly interview Seahawks assistant head coach/defensive backs Jim Mora regarding their head-coaching vacancy.

During the first stage of San Diego's coaching search, it seems likely that GM A.J. Smith will push for someone who won't command too much control, especially over personnel, which is Smith's specialty. That would make names like Mora, Steve Mariucci, and Rex Ryan fitting candidates.

EVERY single one of those names brings a big smile to my face, go ahead & do it suckers.

Chargers | Team could let go of A. Smith after April
Tue, 13 Feb 2007 18:19:54 -0800

Adam Schefter, of the NFL Network, reports the San Diego Chargers might let go of general manager A.J. Smith after the 2007 NFL Draft.


i say pete carroll.

So they think the only way to get Carroll is to give him GM duties as well?
You don't usually see a team blow up its management like this after a 14-2 season. I think you must be right about the motivation being a new stadium. Otherwise, none of this makes any sense.
I have to question letting the news leak this early. What motivation does Smith have to pull off a good draft knowing that he won't be around to see it come to fruition?

I would guess that's probably true.

If they truly are considering getting rid of the GM also, this is a team in full-on implosion.

Was Cowher's contract up when he retired? I see alot of people mentioning his name, I guess I just assumed that he retired with years left on a contract.

I believe he had one year left.

That would make him untouchable wouldn't it? Unless you wanted to give up first round picks.

NFL network is stressing Jim Mora Jr. as the top candidate.

I bet most teams would probably give up a first round pick to get Cowher.

PS, if you're home from Iraq, I'm glad to see it.

Definitely. I think he was serious about taking a year off anyway. He'll be back after that.

Didn't he just sign a contract also? Or does the fact that he signed as a coordinator mean he can leave immediately for a head job. I'm so confused.

I guess in theory he could buy out his contract if the team lets him.

He was hired as a DB coach, so he probably has an out in his contract to move up if an offer came up.

I'm back and life has changed ten fold since my return. I finished my year of tech school in 04 when I got back. I moved my family up to Ottumwa, Iowa after that to go to another school. I just finished up there in Nov with an AAS in Robotic and Automation.

Got a great job in Chicago and the family and I are doing good. I still have two more years of National Guard till I can retire, so that is the only worry that I have right now.

True, but I think he's earned more respect than he gets from a lot of chiefs fans.

On the radio last night a local reporter from SD said the rift was caused in large part because the team didn't want the assistant coaches to interview with other teams (teams have to give permission) and Marty wanted his assistants to be able to interview freely and get promotions, etc. Smith and Marty got into a big fight over it. Actually, I'm not sure if they fought directly or through Spanos since some people claim Smith doesn't talk to Marty. In any event, the reporter said Smith is basically one of the biggest SOB's on the planet. He's good at personnel decisions, but as a human being he sucks and has no people skills. The reporter also said the players were loyal to Marty and believed in him.

Good news for KC.

What's that you say?
Marty DEMANDED Jimmy Raye for OC and Mike Stock for STs??!!!!!

Yes, that was a part of it, and in this, Marty has my respect.

He said in an interview yesterday that would never stand in the way of a coach on his staff moving up in the coaching ranks with another team.

Funny thing is...when Marty was here, his players hated him. As soon as they would leave, they would sign with a division rival just so they could get back at him.

Source?

I think that is an assumption that many people have made, but without any real evidence. Please provide some evidence.