Chargers Electrocute Marty-Ball

If somebody were to tell former San Diego Charger coach Marty Schottenheimer that his club would post a league-best 14-2 record with a first-year starting quarterback and his running back would win the league MVP, he would take that and call it a season.

All of the above happened. The Chargers went 14-2 before bowing out in the divisional round of the playoffs after Tom Brady led the Patriots in a come-from-behind over the host Chargers.

Phillip Rivers finally stepped out of Drew Brees’ shadow and commanded the Chargers on the field with his calm and collective style. He made few mistakes. He may not have won games, but he did not lose them either. Rivers passed for 3388 yards and 22 touchdowns in earning a Pro Bowl berth, which he had to decline due to a foot injury he suffered in the regular season finale.

LaDainian Tomlinson re-wrote the NFL record book this season. The fifth-year pro from TCU broke Priest Holmes’ 2003 rushing touchdown record with 28. Holmes had set the record with 27.

Add all that up and Marty-ball will be playing somewhere else in the future.

Schottenheimer was fired on Monday as head coach of the Chargers due to dysfunction inside the organization after both his offensive and defensive coordinators – Cam Cameron and Wade Phillips – were hired as the head coaches in Miami and Dallas, respectively.

What was the real reason behind Marty’s dismissal?

A dismal playoff record? Marty is 5-13 as coach of the Browns, Chiefs and Chargers during the playoffs, including four losses when his team was the top seed. This season was the ninth year a Schottenheimer coached team lost in the opening round of the playoffs.

But, it is hard to find evidence to fire a coach simply because he could not win a home playoff game.

Would the Colts have won this season’s Super Bowl had they fired head coach Tony Dungy after squandering home field advantage with a loss to the eventual champion Pittsburgh Steelers?

Highly unlikely.

The firing of Schottenheimer proves one simple theory:

There is no loyalty in the NFL.

Case 1: Ted Marchibroda

Entering the 1994-95 season, the Indianapolis Colts would have been lucky to achieve a winning record. They not only finished with a 9-7 record and advanced to the playoffs, but they fell one play from reaching the Super Bowl as Jim Harbaugh’s hail mary as time expired fell incomplete. Nevertheless, despite the Colts completing one of their most successful seasons in franchise history, Marchibroda was not offered an extension. Instead, he was given a hearty handshake and was kicked to the curb. In other words, “Thanks for nothing.”

Case 2: Ray Rhodes

After a successful tenure as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagle, Rhodes left the city of Brotherly Love to take over as coach of the Green Bay Packers after Mike Holmgren left for Seattle.

Rhodes did not get a fair shake in Green Bay as he was fired after one season in which he led the Packers to an 8-8 record.

Case 3: Trent Dilfer

Dilfer, a journeyman quarterback from Fresno State, finally demonstrated his potential on the national stage as he led the Baltimore Ravens to a convincing and dominating win in Super Bowl XXXV. Dilfer did not put up Peyton Manning-like numbers, but he was efficient and used his experience to prevent turnovers. Similar to Rivers of the Chargers; he did not win games, but he was sure not to lose them either.

What happened to Dilfer after winning the Super Bowl? He was not resigned and has since played for Seattle, Cleveland and San Francisco and has never been given a solid opportunity for another ring.

So, what happens to the San Diego Chargers now? If I could look into a crystal ball, I see a similar situation to 2001 when Tony Dungy was fired from Tampa Bay after posting four straight winning seasons. The Bucs brought in then-Oakland Raiders coach Jon Gruden, who hoisted the Lombardi trophy the following year.

Whoever general manager A.J. Smith brings in will be inheriting a talented team who is already the odds-on favorite to raise the Vince Lombardi trophy next year in Glendale, Arizona.

Phillip Rivers. LT. Antonio Gates. Lights Out Shawn Merriman. Potential candidates are drooling over the opportunity to coach these players.

The future coach of this organization should win immediately or else lightning will strike twice.