No more Martyball in San Diego

Marty Schottenheimer has been relieved of his duties as the San Diego Chargers head coach.

Apparently, Chargers' GM A.J. Smith was cool with Marty leading the team this upcoming season with the current cast of Cam Cameron and Wade Phillips as his coordinators. However, as everyone knows, Cameron went to Miami and Phillips to Dallas. There were arguments and silence between Smith and Marty and now Marty is out. Also, Schottenheimer ticked off Smith by allowing some top assistants to interview with other clubs, probably not a good thing.

“Clearly the situation – and I've talked about it on any number of occasions – is not an environment where you can consistently be successful,” he said. “I think it's hard enough in our business when everybody is on the same page, let alone when you have a breach . . . clearly, in my opinion, it was a very, very difficult circumstance to be in.”

Many could say the writing was on the wall, Schottenheimer last season lead the Chargers to a 14-2 record, obtaining home field advantage in the playoffs, then a playoff choke job against New England. He's the most successful coach in NFL history without a Super Bowl appearance.

Many Cleveland still can't get over the fact that Schottenheimer was so close to getting them to the Super Bowl, only to have their dreams wisked away by John Elway and Denver twice back in the late 80's.

Chargers give Schottenheimer the ax - The Union Tribune