The Rehabilitation of Marty Schottenheimer
Stand on the same street corner in the NFL long enough and you will see some interesting things.
At the corner of Kansas City and the Chiefs a decade ago was a head coach who the fans and most of the media in town had grown tired of and were in the process of running out of Arrowhead Stadium. Marty Schottenheimer was too conservative, too old-school, his message was tired and various ghouls and goblins were running around spreading rumors about his personal life. He cried too much, ran the ball too much and there was that problem of winning in the playoffs.
When his ‘98 team finished 7-9 and well out of the running for the post-season, the pot of tar was boiling, the feathers were gathered and when Schottenheimer resigned as the team’s head coach, it seemed like he was leaving Kansas City a step ahead of the posse.
Everyone thought things would be better with Marty out of the picture.
Fast forward to today, and at the corner of Kansas City and the Chiefs, Schottenheimer no longer is considered an extra-long four letter word. In fact, there are those in the media and those in fandom actually clamoring for his return to the team as general manager, coach, anything. They want him to come in and save the franchise from the troubles that have befallen the red and gold.
“They love you again in Kansas City,” somebody shouted at Schottenheimer this past Sunday. He was at Giants Stadium in the New Jersey Meadowlands, watching the Chiefs and Jets play.
“I will always have great memories of Kansas City, Arrowhead, the Chiefs fans,” Marty said.
No, he wasn’t there in New Jersey for a job interview or a meeting with the Hunts. He was there to see his son Brian Schottenheimer, the offensive coordinator of the Jets. He was there to see his daughter-in-law Gemmi and grandchildren Sutton and Savannah.
He got the chance to say hello to the Hunts and some old friends before he headed back home to North Carolina, where he lives with his wife Pat and near his daughter Kristin and her family.
Here’s a link to a good story in the Kansas City Star from last Sunday about Schottenheimer. It paints a pretty accurate picture of what his life is like now. He’s husband, grandfather and golfer. Marty said this past Sunday he’s got his handicap down to a five. He and Pat just got back from a trip to Italy.
The Kansas City Star didn’t send a reporter to North Carolina just to catch up on what was new with Schottenheimer. He was sent there by the paper’s editors to see if the former coach would unload on Carl Peterson, get off his chest all the bad stories from 10 years where he tangled with the GM.
Trouble is Marty wasn’t dishing. He wasn’t dishing because there isn’t anything to dish. Several years ago, I sat down with Marty for a conversation about his relationship with Peterson. He told me that in 10 years there were less than a handful of disagreements, four or five at the most according to Schottenheimer. They were all about players and as Marty said in retrospect, “Carl was right more than I was.”
Does Marty miss football? You don’t give as many years as Schottenheimer gave pro football as a player, assistant coach and head coach and not miss the relationships, the action, the cheering and the winning.
Would he answer a call from the Hunts? I think he would have a hard time turning it down. What Marty learned over his time in Cleveland, Kansas City, Washington and San Diego was that no matter what a coach had in the locker room, what he needed most was a good owner. In his time in the NFL, he knows the decade he spent working for Lamar Hunt and with Peterson was the most stability he ever experienced.
As he told the Star about his decision after the ‘98 season: “I should never have left.”
Would the Hunts call? Who knows; it’s not Lamar any more it’s Clark. They are different people with different ideas and different ways of doing business.
On Wednesday I caught a couple of sports talk yakkers hoping out loud that Clark Hunt would call Schottenheimer and have him become part of the solution for the Chiefs future. These same two blowhards were part of the media mob that screamed for Schottenheimer’s departure a decade ago.
Nobody would get a bigger kick out of that change of tune than Marty Schottenheimer himself. He would say that it personifies one of his favorite statements. Years ago he said that in the world of coaching no longer was it what have you done for me lately. It had become what are you going to do for me next.
Like I said, stand on an NFL street corner long enough …
Marty as our next GM? Hummmmmmmm
I’m not too sure about him coming back as our next HC, but maybe as a GM. I wasn’t ever blown away by any of the drafts during the Schottenheimer era, although compared to Vermeil, he was a god.
I’d love to see Clark pull the trigger on Carl for the GM position and shock the Chiefs Nation by taking his own guy, (not a Carl clone) and let us start fresh with someone we can trust and believe in.
Secondly, I’d love to see some major shake ups in the coaching staff. We’re not coming prepared to play week in and week out. Whether that is Harm, or his hand picked coaches, or a combo deal, I think it’s time to bust things wide open and shake things up.
New England can maintain a decent offense without Tom Brady and injury after injury, but we can’t field a competative team on a regular basis.
I’ve always envied the Pats coaching and ability to adjust mid-game. I’d be willing to bet they’re one of THE best at game time adjustments.
After that, it’s down to patients for us, waiting for that Red and Gold Pride to return once again to the Mid West.
As always,….. GO CHIEFS!!!
We NEED Scott Pioli, or someone from outside the organization, with no Carl ties, no Herm ties, no Chief ties, to come in and fix this thing, getting an outside perspective of how a successful team is built and maintained.
Marty coming back as a GM would be great, move Carl to President ect… for his final year to oversee the Arrowhead remodel. As for the coaching staff, Herm is the right man for the job, he’s only had this and last year to really go out and get his players to overhall an aging, non draft pick having mess of a team (thanks to Carl & Dick). Next as much as I love Gun he’s gotta go, he’s tried everything from stepping back to coach the linebackers, came down to the field out from the box (did that last year, didn’t work) and feel he’s had his time in KC to prove he can do the job. Along with Gun I feel there needs to be more shakeups on the staff and hope, check that PRAY Clark has the guts to do it! Once again Bob, love your stuff!!
Marty ought to sue Carl Peterson for making a living off his name.
I’m also amazed that there are people out there who still think Herm is the man for the job.
One thing you might not be remembering is part of the reason Marty isnt here anymore. It wasnt all his decision to leave. Towards the end of his tenure, Marty had some issues to overcome both personal and professional.
On the professional side of it, dont forget some of the player signings he was responsible for which brought embarrassment and humiliation to the franchise. Signings and bad apples such as Tamarick Vanover (good talent-bad egg), had a direct influence on field behavior. Who will ever forget the Denver game when Derrick Thomas “lost it” and grabbed Shannon Sharpe’s face mask etc etc. Poor sportsmanship is not and should not be a part of the game.
I always thought Marty felt pressure albeit from himself to win and that pressure compromised better judgement.
Marty was the best thing for the Chiefs for a time. I loved it…but that time has come and gone. It would never be the same.
“Carl was right more than I was.”Â
———————————-
That right there is enough to say that I dont want him to be our GM. I’m fine with Kuriach handling the personell matters with Thum handling the buisness side.
…now we just need a competent coach and there is where Marty could fit in. not in the front office.
If the season continues down its current path to something like 1-3 wins, I think Clark Hunt has to strongly consider having a conversation with Marty. I heard him on his Sirius show recently when a Cleveland fan asked if he would ever get back to coaching? Marty’s answer: “Never say never”.
As to his role, perhaps a dual title of GM/Head Coach while having someone like Thum manage the cap and player contracts? OR, would Marty be enticed by a current Parcells type role?
I think the guy needs to be on the field and in the heat of the battle but we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves in that we still have 9 games remaining for the current staff to either fix it, or continue to be a grease fire. If it’s the latter, I cannot imagine why there wouldn’t be wholesale changes at the end of the season.
It’s not just the fans, the players want to play for Herm.
There are many many fans that are rooting for Herm and the Chiefs still. I for one believe that with the support and stability of his owner he can build this into a Championship team.
I also think that Mark has such a hard-on for Carl and Herm that his opinion is biased.
Justin,
players want to play for Herm because he is black, but ultimately everyone wants to play for and be on a winning team.
Marty said himself when he left in ‘98 that he couldn’t get the job done in 10 years and it was time for someone else to try. That is exactly right. The same goes for Peterson. Ten years was long enough and he should have left too. Now here we are at 20 years and counting.
#9, if Cowher only had 10 years with the same team he would have never won a Super Bowl! I think it would be ridiculous to put a time table on when a guy should win a Championship. Coach’s need stability to get the job done.
It is not a big surprise to hear that Herm is a player favorite. He is hated by the media and fans because they know that his loyalties belong to his players and not them. Herm will never be influenced by the media or the fans and they hate him for it. I doubt that bothers him. I have a feeling it would be different if his players didn’t like him.
No to Schottzy returning – in any capacity. Like the Chiefs really need more greybeards eligible for Social Security. Go West young man…and go young!
If the calendar on the wall is meaningless, then perhaps Marv Levy can come back (at least he got his Buffalo teams to FOUR Superbowls), and Marv will be only 84 in ‘09.
Personally, one Lou Saban would be my choice as such…Lou will be a well ripened 88 years young in 2009 (making Marv a veritable whippersnapper in comparison) and Lou never met a coaching job he didn’t like – for at least a year.
Peterson, Stiles, Steadman (before he rode his motorized Lark out Arrowhead Stadium) et al all share(d) similar malady…the “I stayed too long at the Fair” syndrome. Dick Vermeil was within view 70 when he saw the (tri-focal) handwriting on the wall.
Someone sporting a football vigor and mentality somewhere between a Spurrier & Schottenheimer (albeit with more success in pro football than either guy’s ‘also ran’ status) would be ideal. Tis a young mans game (someone tell Father Time nee the QB guru, Dick Curl – age 66.)
We might refer to it as ‘new blood’…the Chiefs need some in copious amounts. Hank Stram – HOF’r who remains the most successful Head Coach in KC Chiefs history was only 37 when Lamar Hunt hired him (in fact Hank ‘fudged’ on his birthday from the earliest Dallas Texans days by allowing the media guides to subtract a year from his age.)
Lombardi was 45 when Green Bay hired him…Shula was 33…on the other hand Joe Paterno will soon be 82. George Halas retired as Bears HC just shy his 73rd birthday.
I shot a (coaching) arrow into the air, where it will land I do not…care?
Does anyone recall when less than half way throuh the season ,several years ago, S. D. told Marty to , turn it around or else ! Not only did he do it , they went worst to FIRST !! BAM !—- Get Marty in by SAT. in charge of winning , he will pull more than rabbits out of hats . If you think that you are going hang at 12:01 A.M. Sunday if you do NOT win , he will do it .
Marty is a coach, not a GM. Putting him in as GM would make no sense to me. Bill Parcells he ain’t.
Like I said before to all you Herm haters, he’s only had 2 years to try and bring in his type of guys and this is truly the first draft where you can see Herms finger prints all over it, before this year you could tell Carl was the one calling the shots. I’ve met Herm in person and just by our brief conversation I’d run through a brick wall for the guy!
I’d love to supply the wall for you P Baird. Herm’s fingerprints were all over the last three drafts. Not necessarily a bad thing, but this guy is a much better talent evaluater than coach. (Which isn’t saying much.)
Say no to Marty, especially as a personell guy. Marty brought in such players as Tamarick Vanover, Bam Morris, Wayne Simmons and Andre Rison (who gave us one great year, two awful ones) As others have already said, we need new blood, new ideas, and a clean slate from the Carl era. It’s been long enough.
I’ve heard rumors that the Jets pro personell guy could replace Carl in that capacity. Hatley I believe? Say no to that too. He’s a former Carl employee and a Herm Jets connection at that. Pioli would be fine with me….or anybody with fresh ideas and a talent for drafting.
I realy like that part about the brick wall ! Now you whats comming next . L.J. is going get Two weeks (served ) and a fined after provened he did something . I dont think you are really the BRICK WALL type . BUT ??
Bringing back Marty would be like the Redskins bringing back Joe Gibbs…oops, tried that. You just can’t replay the past.
The best scenario would be for Herm to get it turned around and be successful, no? I don’t think there are really Herm haters, just those that don’t believe he can get it done. In the end nobody really cares who, or how, just do it.
I think Marty would not come back I agree with Steve I would love to have Scott Pioli from the Patriots and also Bill Polian’s second in command from the Colts. The guy behind Polian would maybe be a great choice but my favorite would be Pioli . He would bring a new energy to this organization a breath of fresh air. Back on Marty though I think he enjoys being on the outside of the game but he could recommend some people to Clark Hunt to consider if he decides to put Peterson in a Steadman’s role concentrating on the rennovations of the stadium and fulfilling his father’s request to keep him until his contract expires. Also guys it pains me to say it but Herm’s going to finish his two years here . Clark likes this guy he felt they had a great draft and he is going to see how far he can take this youth movement. Especially if he decides to go sweep it under the rug in effect on putting Carl in the role I just mentioned amd putting Kuriach as the new GM . Oh man that would be very bad if you are going to sweep put it in a dust pan and throw it away in other words clean it from top to bottom. Herm has to go but Clark going to see him through to these tough times. See I told you it hurts me to say it where’s the pepto bismal.
As a 29 year season ticket holder I remember how Marty was treated the last few years by KC media and some fans. After we had one playoff year in 18 years, Marty brought us 7 in 9 years. Yet some were not happy. The ‘97 game vs. the donkees was a screw job. The donkee O-line greased up their jerseys and the refs let their own staff “wipe them dry”… Elway crossed the line of scrimmage for a huge 1st down pass….Tony G had a TD stolen from him with a bogus Off pass interference. Len Elliot missed 3 FG’s in ‘95. I would love to go to the playoffs almost year again and I have no doubt Marty would do that if he were to return in any capicity and run the show. But new Chief fans (‘90 and after) in KC don’t deserve him. I hope he stays retired and enjoys life. He deserves that and a place on the Ring of Honor at Arrowhead.
Marty Schottenheimer….I don’t know how many of you read that article in the KC Star, but it really made me realize what good coach he was. I know he didn’t win the “big game”, but he had this team in the playoffs year in and year out.
I was ok with Gunn being the head coach, and I did like Vermeil’s circus (who’s B-day is today. look it up!), but something draws me back to Marty Schottenheimer. At least when he coached, if the offense went 3 and out, you didn’t have to worry because the defenses he built could stop people. I can say I did NOT like Herm when he was with the Jets, with the Chiefs when they got into the playoffs, not last year and not this year. And now looking back, 7-9 was not so bad when KC was looking for Schottenheimers head on a platter.
Craig, I do agree with statement you said, he does need to stay retired and enjoy life. After all, life is too short to try and fix Herm’s mess.
I think Marty did all he could do for the game,his time has past.
I said it before, if we are wishing…. Pete Carroll GM/Bill Cower H.C.
Carroll might take a GM job, but if he wants to remain a coach there is no real incentive to come to the NFL.
Time to think out of the box guys.
I’d also like to see T. Rich as an assistant, (assuming this is his last season playing) maybe special teams. Not just because of his history with us but because he is a guy that EARNED EVERY THING he was/is in this league, nothing was just handed to him, he knows what it takes, guys like that tend to make the best coaches.
Addendum to above; I have no clue about his (Carroll) contract with USC, but this too can be purchased. lol
That’s sad but true!
Another idea here, someone needs to “ok” some of Harms coaching choices. How can you manage to select so many inept coaches?
Or maybe it’s Harm, scaring everyone one from the waterboys on up with “whatever you do, just don’t turn the ball over”!! You could see it happen with Trent Green in Harm’s first year. “We don’t need to score more points than the other team, lets just wait, and hope our D can keep it close and pray that they make a mistake”. Offense might sell tickets, but it’s “the enemy”!!
I’m all for Pioli. ANYONE! Lets just get some fresh ideas and a new commitment to winning.
I think Mary should return to the organization, but as Gm. Him and Herm i think would make a perfect combination. They both believe in a power running game and a tough defense. I think they will do great together. They think alike have the same philosphy on offense and defense. Petereson more than likely will be gone after next season. I just think its a match made in heaven
I find it hilarious when I hear the Herm Haters say bring back Marty or Bill Cowher. Its truly comedy. Truth is they run the same type of offense that Herm does. If u go back to Cowher day in Pittsburg before his Super Bowl win, most of Steelers fans and the media in the area thought his style of offense was too conservative and could never produce a Super Bowl sounds familiar. I remember my fellow Chiefs fans saying the same thing about Marty Ball.
Truth is Herm can coach they has the 3rd most active playoff appearances among the active head coaches. And lets not forget the guy lead the team to the playoffs with the second string quarterback in 2006. HOw many coaches can say that except for maybe Bellichick after this season with the Pats. All i’m saying is this Chiefs fans need to stop confusing perception with reality.
Reality is he inherited a very very bad team. Garbage defense and a old retirement home offense (Shields,Roaf,T. Green, Daunte Hall, and Holmes). He didn’t inherit a good young team on the rise. Or the same explosive offense that was there the yr before. The offense was old and on the downside and the defense was awful. He brought in a couple vets in 2006 to help make it better but behind Law and Surtain and many others it actually old as well.
Reality is of course its going to take a longer to turn this team around when you have rebuild the whole team offense, defense, and special teams. So be fair give the guy time to put his players in there and if in two yrs we still losing like this (1 and 6 or 4 and 12) then yeah i’m on board for running him out of time, but somehow i dont think we’ll be in that situation.
Ed, obviously! Your the only one on this blog that knows anything about football (according to you) so you have it your way big guy.
Your almost constant insults to anyone who has an opposing opinion (such as “B in SC “Do you even study football”) and other comments you have made about other commenter’s (according to you I never played the game but you apparently mastered it) lmao.
Your bulling ain’t gonna work home skillet!
Start making up your post for next week
Man first of all ain’t nothing wrong with being objective or critical. Who are u the blog police. lol. I’m not insulting anyone I never criticize anyone as a person only question their opinions or challenged their ablity to think outside the media box. Its just a game man u taking it to seriously. No one is on here insulting each other character,race, or anything else. U just need to chill out. Second of all yeah i was pretty good in football and basketball. I don’t know it all but i try not to look i things in the same perspective as everyone else does. I jus try to give a different spend on things and not speak off emotion more off logic. Either way man chill out u taking this stuff way too serious.lol