Why I don't feel sorry for San Diego or their fans. (1 Viewer)

[yesitsme]

Last year, led by Coach Marty Schottenheimer the Chargers went 14-2. After falling short in probably the greatest playoff game of the year and to an outstanding franchise, the Chargers fire the Head Coach.

After the firing, as a whole I didn't read or see too many fans coming to their coach's side and say it was an outrage. I think most figured anyone could coach Lt and Gates to 14 wins during the regular season.

Seriously........are you kidding me. Have things gotten that good in San Diego where you fire a coach who wins you 14 games? Here in Detroit it takes us 5 years to get that many wins.

When you have the kind of talent SD has, you don't disrupt everything and bring in an entire new coaching staff. That takes a lot of time to get everybody on the same page. This wasn't just a head coaching change but the entire staff.

I'm sorry but I honostly don't feel sorry for any organization who fires a coach who won you 14 games. You fired a coach who couldn't win in the post season for a coach who couldn't win at all.

Good job San Diego.

 

[BoltzNBrew]

Before you bash the Chargers or their fans check Shottys playoff record. I'd rather squeak into the playoffs and win than get a first round bye and lay an egg.

 

[Dark Matter]

Yeah, Stay classy San Diego!

 

[Chase Stuart]

Before you bash the Chargers or their fans check Shottys playoff record. I'd rather squeak into the playoffs and win than get a first round bye and lay an egg.

Please give me the list of coaches who are good at squeaking into the playoffs and winning.

 

[MaddHatter]

What's up with the LT2-Rivers argument on the sidelines? There may be trouble brewing in Boltland.

 

[NatronIsMean]

I thought the same thing when that firing happened. I'm grinning right now, no doubt Shotty is as well. And for good reasons. I love to see that happen.

 

[fatboyj711]

Before you bash the Chargers or their fans check Shottys playoff record. I'd rather squeak into the playoffs and win than get a first round bye and lay an egg.

funny how this is pretty much what the poster was describing about bolts fans

 

[Restricted]

Not the smartest move bringing in ol' Norv.

 

[Pittsburgh United]

Here in Detroit it takes us 5 years to get that many wins.

 

[Raider Nation]

Before you bash the Chargers or their fans check Shottys playoff record. I'd rather squeak into the playoffs and win than get a first round bye and lay an egg.

Please give me the list of coaches who are good at squeaking into the playoffs and winning.

1) Bill Cowher

 

[Blue-Kun]

Why would anyone feel sorry for them? Ohs nos, they might not be the unstoppable juggernauts everyone had them penciled in for since last season ended!

 

[cstu]

Before you bash the Chargers or their fans check Shottys playoff record. I'd rather squeak into the playoffs and win than get a first round bye and lay an egg.

Please give me the list of coaches who are good at squeaking into the playoffs and winning.

That's not the point - it's that 14-2 means nothing if you can't win a playoff game. Shotty is a good coach but he was 0-4 in the playoffs with the last four teams he had with records of 12-4 or better - there's no excuse for that. He had a lot of good years in KC, but they wasted no time firing him the second he had a losing season. AJ thought that Shotty wasn't the answer and didn't want to waste another season.

 

[cstu]

Not the smartest move bringing in ol' Norv.

The two losses weren't his fault. Not sure any coach of any team stood a chance going into NE after the week they had and poor safety play blew the GB game today.

 

[yesitsme]

Before you bash the Chargers or their fans check Shottys playoff record. I'd rather squeak into the playoffs and win than get a first round bye and lay an egg.

Please give me the list of coaches who are good at squeaking into the playoffs and winning.

That's not the point - it's that 14-2 means nothing if you can't win a playoff game. Shotty is a good coach but he was 0-4 in the playoffs with the last four teams he had with records of 12-4 or better - there's no excuse for that. He had a lot of good years in KC, but they wasted no time firing him the second he had a losing season. AJ thought that Shotty wasn't the answer and didn't want to waste another season.

It's not like they got blown out. All 3 teams, SD, INDY and NE were about the same. Anyone of them could have gotten to the SB and anyone of them would have beaten the Bears.So, in your line of thinking since you can't beat Belichick who's the greatest coach in the NFL.....you fire him? So now Norv Turner can?To me, they got frustrated and made a terrible decision. San Diego was an excellent football team last year and that's a reflection upon their head coach. They played in a great playoff game, got beat and now they probably won't even make the playoffs.I say their fans because I read on these forums there's a support group. Obviosuly it's a place to vent but I know what it's like to head into a season with a lot of hopes to be extremely disappointed....I'm a Michigan Wolverine fan. So, I don't like to see that happen to anyone.But when I think back to last season and after Marty got fired, I just didn't see everyone coming to his support. I know if one of my sports team's coaches was fired after going 14-2 I'd be pissed.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

Before you bash the Chargers or their fans check Shottys playoff record. I'd rather squeak into the playoffs and win than get a first round bye and lay an egg.

Please give me the list of coaches who are good at squeaking into the playoffs and winning.

That's not the point - it's that 14-2 means nothing if you can't win a playoff game. Shotty is a good coach but he was 0-4 in the playoffs with the last four teams he had with records of 12-4 or better - there's no excuse for that. He had a lot of good years in KC, but they wasted no time firing him the second he had a losing season. AJ thought that Shotty wasn't the answer and didn't want to waste another season.

And they certainly aren't wasting any seasons with Norv Turner. Was Rich Kotite busy?

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

The Chargers started out 0-2 in 2005 (coming off a 12-4 season the year before). Should they have fired Schottenheimer right then and there?

Let's play a few more games before we start firing the current coaching staff.

 

[yesitsme]

Before you bash the Chargers or their fans check Shottys playoff record. I'd rather squeak into the playoffs and win than get a first round bye and lay an egg.

Please give me the list of coaches who are good at squeaking into the playoffs and winning.

That's not the point - it's that 14-2 means nothing if you can't win a playoff game. Shotty is a good coach but he was 0-4 in the playoffs with the last four teams he had with records of 12-4 or better - there's no excuse for that. He had a lot of good years in KC, but they wasted no time firing him the second he had a losing season. AJ thought that Shotty wasn't the answer and didn't want to waste another season.

And they certainly aren't wasting any seasons with Norv Turner. Was Rich Kotite busy?

Waste another season.......that's crazy talk. I mean, do you really honostly believe that junk about people not being able to win the big game? Did you think Peyton Manning wasn't going to win the SB because "he couldn't win the big game." San Diego was a play away from winning the SB. I'm confident they beat Indy at home last year if they would have gotten by NE. Indy was not physical enough to beat them in SD.

Man, even now fans support that decision with a 1-2 start. That's ludicrous.

 

[jurb26]

Not the smartest move bringing in ol' Norv.

The two losses weren't his fault. Not sure any coach of any team stood a chance going into NE after the week they had and poor safety play blew the GB game today.

I feel like I've been saying this for months already but.... get used to saying that.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

After falling short in probably the greatest playoff game of the year and to an outstanding franchise, the Chargers fire the Head Coach.

1. Why did they fire him?2. Do you think that was a good reason or a bad reason?

 

[yesitsme]

The Chargers started out 0-2 in 2005 (coming off a 12-4 season the year before). Should they have fired Schottenheimer right then and there?Let's play a few more games before we start firing the current coaching staff.

Who's saying anything about firing the new staff? This is about firing the last coaching staff.As far as I'm concerned, you have to give him 2 to 3 years. But that's part of my point......why the heck would you clean house with your coaching staff when you're a play or two away from winning the SB. All the pieces were in place. To scrap that and to say they're starting over was a huge mistake. SD fans should be outraged.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

Before you bash the Chargers or their fans check Shottys playoff record. I'd rather squeak into the playoffs and win than get a first round bye and lay an egg.

Please give me the list of coaches who are good at squeaking into the playoffs and winning.

That's not the point - it's that 14-2 means nothing if you can't win a playoff game. Shotty is a good coach but he was 0-4 in the playoffs with the last four teams he had with records of 12-4 or better - there's no excuse for that. He had a lot of good years in KC, but they wasted no time firing him the second he had a losing season. AJ thought that Shotty wasn't the answer and didn't want to waste another season.

And they certainly aren't wasting any seasons with Norv Turner. Was Rich Kotite busy?

Waste another season.......that's crazy talk. I mean, do you really honostly believe that junk about people not being able to win the big game? Did you think Peyton Manning wasn't going to win the SB because "he couldn't win the big game." San Diego was a play away from winning the SB. I'm confident they beat Indy at home last year if they would have gotten by NE. Indy was not physical enough to beat them in SD.

Man, even now fans support that decision with a 1-2 start. That's ludicrous.

I think your sarcasm meter is all broken and what not. KRS was agreeing with you here guy.

 

[yinzer]

Before you bash the Chargers or their fans check Shottys playoff record. I'd rather squeak into the playoffs and win than get a first round bye and lay an egg.

Please give me the list of coaches who are good at squeaking into the playoffs and winning.

1) Bill Cowher

2 years ago they squeaked in, but nearly every other playoff year I would have to say they had either a bye or homefield advantage throughout, meaning they were the #1 or #2 team in the AFC. I'd say the Stillers made the playoffs ubder Cowher in this way than what your saying.If anything, he's more similar to Schotty in that he takes great teams into the playoffs and fails to win a superbowl.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

But that's part of my point......why the heck would you clean house with your coaching staff when you're a play or two away from winning the SB.

That's exactly what I just asked in my last post. Do you know the answer?

 

[DPRugby]

Last year, led by Coach Marty Schottenheimer the Chargers went 14-2. After falling short in probably the greatest playoff game of the year and to an outstanding franchise, the Chargers fire the Head Coach.After the firing, as a whole I didn't read or see too many fans coming to their coach's side and say it was an outrage. I think most figured anyone could coach Lt and Gates to 14 wins during the regular season.Seriously........are you kidding me. Have things gotten that good in San Diego where you fire a coach who wins you 14 games? Here in Detroit it takes us 5 years to get that many wins.When you have the kind of talent SD has, you don't disrupt everything and bring in an entire new coaching staff. That takes a lot of time to get everybody on the same page. This wasn't just a head coaching change but the entire staff.I'm sorry but I honostly don't feel sorry for any organization who fires a coach who won you 14 games. You fired a coach who couldn't win in the post season for a coach who couldn't win at all.Good job San Diego.

I'll nut up here and say I was one of the crushed San Diego fans calling for Marty's head last year after the Patriots playoff debacle. You're right, we are owed no sypathy and we deserve whatever craptastic season we get this year.I guess it's easy to say we were WAY OFF on that one. Ultimately, I think the Chargers are going to miss their opportunity and this year will be the first of a two or three year slide back into being the one of the consistant lower tier teams in the NFL. It's really sad being a 30 year + San Deigo fan and seeing a team with this much tallent play so poorly. It also brings last years playoff failure rushing back to suck a little more life out of my soul. GDB being a Charger fan.

 

[yesitsme]

After falling short in probably the greatest playoff game of the year and to an outstanding franchise, the Chargers fire the Head Coach.

1. Why did they fire him?2. Do you think that was a good reason or a bad reason?

As far as I know, they fired him because whoever's in charge of those things bought into the idea that he couldn't win the Big Game. It was a horrible decision because I didn't see the Colts get rid of Peyton Manning or Tony Dungy who also have been labeled in the past of not being able to win the big game.

 

[Sea Bass]

The Chargers started out 0-2 in 2005 (coming off a 12-4 season the year before). Should they have fired Schottenheimer right then and there?Let's play a few more games before we start firing the current coaching staff.

Who's saying anything about firing the new staff? This is about firing the last coaching staff.As far as I'm concerned, you have to give him 2 to 3 years. But that's part of my point......why the heck would you clean house with your coaching staff when you're a play or two away from winning the SB. All the pieces were in place. To scrap that and to say they're starting over was a huge mistake. SD fans should be outraged.

They didn't clean house, coaches left for better positions. This thread lacks knowledge and taste, please move it to another forum.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

After falling short in probably the greatest playoff game of the year and to an outstanding franchise, the Chargers fire the Head Coach.

1. Why did they fire him?2. Do you think that was a good reason or a bad reason?

As far as I know, they fired him because whoever's in charge of those things bought into the idea that he couldn't win the Big Game.

No, that had nothing at all to do with it. In fact, they offered him a contract extension after the loss to the Patriots last year.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

The Chargers started out 0-2 in 2005 (coming off a 12-4 season the year before). Should they have fired Schottenheimer right then and there?Let's play a few more games before we start firing the current coaching staff.

Who's saying anything about firing the new staff? This is about firing the last coaching staff.As far as I'm concerned, you have to give him 2 to 3 years. But that's part of my point......why the heck would you clean house with your coaching staff when you're a play or two away from winning the SB. All the pieces were in place. To scrap that and to say they're starting over was a huge mistake. SD fans should be outraged.

They didn't clean house, coaches left for better positions. This thread lacks knowledge and taste, please move it to another forum.

I think the intention of this thread is right on the money but the delivery is lacking. I think we should let this play out because I see a very valid argument in the big picture. It does however lack taste. I agree wholeheartedly.

 

[yinzer]

I kind of saw this coming since no way LT puts up #'s like last year, and they lost their HC, OC, and DC. Despite not losing really any players that I can think of, that's still a loss.

Also, I've been trying to tell people that RIVERS = OVERRATED

Just look at today. He was having likely his career best game, and then basically single handedly gives them no chance of winning throwing into what looked like triple coverage to me with hsi INT.

I see him as a QB that can be efficient when he's on his game, but not great. I think he's inconsistent game to game, and while he's probably, maybe, around the 15th or so best QB in the league now, I don't think he's a guy you can count on to carry your team to a victory, just someone who when he's clicking has the ability to effectively run an offense. Doesn't have a great deep ball, has avg velocity, and good accuracy.

Tell me I'm wrong, but I think he's one of the most overrated QB's in the league

...and all those Ben Roeth haters from last year can eat crow because he is clearly the best QB from the 2004 draft class when playing a season after not having gone through a car windshield headfirst.

 

[yesitsme]

After falling short in probably the greatest playoff game of the year and to an outstanding franchise, the Chargers fire the Head Coach.

1. Why did they fire him?2. Do you think that was a good reason or a bad reason?

As far as I know, they fired him because whoever's in charge of those things bought into the idea that he couldn't win the Big Game.

No, that had nothing at all to do with it. In fact, they offered him a contract extension after the loss to the Patriots last year.

I do know he was fired. I do know he was 14-2 and after the loss to NE many were upset and just said, " Marty can't win the big game."I know he let some assistants interview elsewhere and the SD head office didn't like that.So, if that's the reason..I don't buy it. If SD wins that game intstead of losing, you think he gets fired because he let people interview elsewhere?I don't. I think he was fired ultimately because he didn't win a playoff game in SD and now I think that was a poor decision to get rid of him.If there's something else then I don't honostly know what he got fired for.

 

[Doctor Detroit]

I have to say that I agree with the original poster conceptually. San Diego should have never fired Marty Schottenheimer for any reason and the resulting fall out seemed a bit unprofessional. Norv Turner is not a good head football coach, that is a fact. Marty Schottenheimer wins and wins a lot wherever he goes, and that's a fact. You can't rail on Marty for not winning the big game given that 99.3 percent of NFL coaches have never won a Super Bowl. Shotty is a class act and a good coach. Did he make mistakes? Yeah, sure he did. Were San Diego fans miffed at the loss in the playoffs last year? Sure they were. But you don't fire a coach after a 14-2 season and replace him with a stiff and that is what the Chargers have done. I also don't feel sorry for the organization and as a neutral fan I must say that I hope they don't make the playoffs this year due to how they have handled this situation.

San Diego has a lot of talent but Norv Turner was the wrong choice and how they handled this was very Arizona of them. John Butler would be rolling over in his grave.

 

[cstu]

The Chargers started out 0-2 in 2005 (coming off a 12-4 season the year before). Should they have fired Schottenheimer right then and there?Let's play a few more games before we start firing the current coaching staff.

Who's saying anything about firing the new staff? This is about firing the last coaching staff.As far as I'm concerned, you have to give him 2 to 3 years. But that's part of my point......why the heck would you clean house with your coaching staff when you're a play or two away from winning the SB. All the pieces were in place. To scrap that and to say they're starting over was a huge mistake. SD fans should be outraged.

How many years do you give a coach to win a playoff game after great regular seasons? The 2004 Jets loss at home stung like hell for Chargers fans yet Marty got 2 more years to win a playoff game. Losing at home again was an even more crushing blow. IMO, AJ thought that those losses would haunt the team if Marty was still the coach and got rid of him. I don't know if that was the right move, but I'm certainly glad not to see Marty anymore.

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

If there's something else then I don't honostly know what he got fired for.

Here's the very short version.On Thursday afternoon, Dean Spanos (the owner and president) told Marty Schottenheimer that he did not have permission to interview Kurt Schottenheimer for the defensive coordinator position.On Friday, Marty sent Kurt a plane ticket to come interview for the job.

 

[yesitsme]

The Chargers started out 0-2 in 2005 (coming off a 12-4 season the year before). Should they have fired Schottenheimer right then and there?Let's play a few more games before we start firing the current coaching staff.

Who's saying anything about firing the new staff? This is about firing the last coaching staff.As far as I'm concerned, you have to give him 2 to 3 years. But that's part of my point......why the heck would you clean house with your coaching staff when you're a play or two away from winning the SB. All the pieces were in place. To scrap that and to say they're starting over was a huge mistake. SD fans should be outraged.

They didn't clean house, coaches left for better positions. This thread lacks knowledge and taste, please move it to another forum.

They cleaned house in the sense they don't have coaches from last year and went with an entire new system. If Marty would have stayed, he would have brought in people that he knew and knew his system. Brining in Norv Turner and his staff is WAY different than keeping Marty and whatever assistants he would have brought in.I mean no disrespect to the fans. I don't like to see SD lose but my point about the SD fans was I didn't see too many SD fans outraged that their head coach who was 14-2 just got canned.Instead, it was more like alright.....we'll cruise into the playoffs and with this "new" coach now we'll beat Peyton Manning, Tom Brady etc.....

 

[Doctor Detroit]

The Chargers started out 0-2 in 2005 (coming off a 12-4 season the year before). Should they have fired Schottenheimer right then and there?Let's play a few more games before we start firing the current coaching staff.

Who's saying anything about firing the new staff? This is about firing the last coaching staff.As far as I'm concerned, you have to give him 2 to 3 years. But that's part of my point......why the heck would you clean house with your coaching staff when you're a play or two away from winning the SB. All the pieces were in place. To scrap that and to say they're starting over was a huge mistake. SD fans should be outraged.

How many years do you give a coach to win a playoff game after great regular seasons? The 2004 Jets loss at home stung like hell for Chargers fans yet Marty got 2 more years to win a playoff game. Losing at home again was an even more crushing blow. IMO, AJ thought that those losses would haunt the team if Marty was still the coach and got rid of him. I don't know if that was the right move, but I'm certainly glad not to see Marty anymore.

I'm sure as a Chargers fan you'll be particularly happy when they don't make the playoffs this year. Firing Marty was terrible.

 

[Kyzersosik]

SD, 14-2 one and done last season. Shotty gone which for me was a 50/50 decision. It`s early BUT so far what has plagued Norv in the past is still happening. Seems like he just can`t make adjustments to the game plan. They could easily be 0-3 and of course can come back from 1-2 and win 11-12 games. Norv is in charge of the entire team but especially in the last 2 weeks the def. looks slow and lost at times particullarly in the def. backfield. Best news is no division losses and still a long way to go. Lastly, please get V Jax more involved in the passing game!!!!!!

 

[Doctor Detroit]

If there's something else then I don't honostly know what he got fired for.

Here's the very short version.On Thursday afternoon, Dean Spanos (the owner and president) told Marty Schottenheimer that he did not have permission to interview Kurt Schottenheimer for the defensive coordinator position.On Friday, Marty sent Kurt a plane ticket to come interview for the job.

He should have been able to hire whomever he wanted to. GMs have to give the coach a reasonable degree of latitude with their staff and obviously San Diego is one or two players or coaches away from being a championship team. I think the organization blew this one and as a Detroit Tigers fan and having to deal with Randy Smith for so many years, I know what a GM can do to drag an organization down. San Diego made a fatal error. They will pay for it.

 

[yesitsme]

If there's something else then I don't honostly know what he got fired for.

Here's the very short version.On Thursday afternoon, Dean Spanos (the owner and president) told Marty Schottenheimer that he did not have permission to interview Kurt Schottenheimer for the defensive coordinator position.On Friday, Marty sent Kurt a plane ticket to come interview for the job.

Right, I remember reading material about their was a "dysfunctional relationship" between Marty and the owner. I guess they were or are long time friends etc...I'm just saying, maybe he wasn't right in not listening if that was exactly how it went down. I know if I was the owner I wouldn't like someone not listening but to be fired?I do think it was largely due to not winning the big game and partly believing Marty can't do it. And if that's not any part of the reason, if I were a Charger fan I'd be upset that these two guys could't get past each other's egos to work it out. They had a great team.

 

[massraider]

If the Chargers fired Marty for not being able to win in the playoffs, I certainly hope last season's playoff loss didn't seal the deal. Because that wasn't his fault. Stupid plays by players still on that team blew that game.

 

[yesitsme]

SD, 14-2 one and done last season. Shotty gone which for me was a 50/50 decision. It`s early BUT so far what has plagued Norv in the past is still happening. Seems like he just can`t make adjustments to the game plan. They could easily be 0-3 and of course can come back from 1-2 and win 11-12 games. Norv is in charge of the entire team but especially in the last 2 weeks the def. looks slow and lost at times particullarly in the def. backfield. Best news is no division losses and still a long way to go. Lastly, please get V Jax more involved in the passing game!!!!!!

This is what concerns me the most......I don't know what happened to that great defense. Last year's Charger defense would have pressured Farve into making some quick and costly throws.They're not getting after it like they did last year.

 

[fatness]

From everything I've read, Schottenheimer was fired because of a deep personality conflict between himself and the GM, and not for any other reason.

I'm sure Turner is much more mellow. But he's a crap head coach and I don't feel any sympathy for a team that does something as stupid as hiring him to be one.

 

[jonessed]

If the Chargers fired Marty for not being able to win in the playoffs, I certainly hope last season's playoff loss didn't seal the deal. Because that wasn't his fault. Stupid plays by players still on that team blew that game.

That's not why he got fired. He got fired because he let the TE and LB assistants go before they knew if Cam and Wade would be around. They were next in line to take those positions. Then he tried to bring his brother on when asked not to. That's why he was fired so late in the process.

 

[cstu]

The Chargers started out 0-2 in 2005 (coming off a 12-4 season the year before). Should they have fired Schottenheimer right then and there?Let's play a few more games before we start firing the current coaching staff.

Who's saying anything about firing the new staff? This is about firing the last coaching staff.As far as I'm concerned, you have to give him 2 to 3 years. But that's part of my point......why the heck would you clean house with your coaching staff when you're a play or two away from winning the SB. All the pieces were in place. To scrap that and to say they're starting over was a huge mistake. SD fans should be outraged.

They didn't clean house, coaches left for better positions. This thread lacks knowledge and taste, please move it to another forum.

They cleaned house in the sense they don't have coaches from last year and went with an entire new system. If Marty would have stayed, he would have brought in people that he knew and knew his system. Brining in Norv Turner and his staff is WAY different than keeping Marty and whatever assistants he would have brought in.I mean no disrespect to the fans. I don't like to see SD lose but my point about the SD fans was I didn't see too many SD fans outraged that their head coach who was 14-2 just got canned.Instead, it was more like alright.....we'll cruise into the playoffs and with this "new" coach now we'll beat Peyton Manning, Tom Brady etc.....

The fans don't care about 14-2, what we care about is 0-2 at home in the playoffs. Who was the last coach to lose 2 straight playoff home games?

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

From everything I've read, Schottenheimer was fired because of a deep personality conflict between himself and the GM, and not for any other reason.

AJ and Marty didn't get along, but that's not why Marty was fired.Said AJ Smith in January of this year: “I made the recommendation, which may surprise all of you, that we continue next year with Marty Schottenheimer based on the fact that we are so talented a football team.” (link)

The Chargers decided to keep Marty on board (and they offered him an extension) after he lost again in the playoffs and after the coach and GM didn't get along. So those weren't the reasons he was subsequently fired.

 

[yesitsme]

The Chargers started out 0-2 in 2005 (coming off a 12-4 season the year before). Should they have fired Schottenheimer right then and there?Let's play a few more games before we start firing the current coaching staff.

Who's saying anything about firing the new staff? This is about firing the last coaching staff.As far as I'm concerned, you have to give him 2 to 3 years. But that's part of my point......why the heck would you clean house with your coaching staff when you're a play or two away from winning the SB. All the pieces were in place. To scrap that and to say they're starting over was a huge mistake. SD fans should be outraged.

They didn't clean house, coaches left for better positions. This thread lacks knowledge and taste, please move it to another forum.

They cleaned house in the sense they don't have coaches from last year and went with an entire new system. If Marty would have stayed, he would have brought in people that he knew and knew his system. Brining in Norv Turner and his staff is WAY different than keeping Marty and whatever assistants he would have brought in.I mean no disrespect to the fans. I don't like to see SD lose but my point about the SD fans was I didn't see too many SD fans outraged that their head coach who was 14-2 just got canned.Instead, it was more like alright.....we'll cruise into the playoffs and with this "new" coach now we'll beat Peyton Manning, Tom Brady etc.....

The fans don't care about 14-2, what we care about is 0-2 at home in the playoffs. Who was the last coach to lose 2 straight playoff home games?

Well, if that's truely how you feel and you're comfortable with that, then so be it. I just want you to know they were VERY close to winning the SB with the team they had last year.To fire the head coach was a huge decision. To bring in a new head coach, the owner MUST have known then that he was basically throwing away a golden opportunity to win a SB. Because I know listening to Coach Parcells before WEEK 1 when going over SB contenders he was talking about how huge it is to have an entire new coaching staff trying to gel with themselves and with the players.He said it usually takes 2 to 3 years for them to gel together. When you're 14-2 and a couple minutes from going to a SB, is that really the direction you go in?

 

[fatness]

From everything I've read, Schottenheimer was fired because of a deep personality conflict between himself and the GM, and not for any other reason.

AJ and Marty didn't get along, but that's not why Marty was fired.Said AJ Smith in January of this year: “I made the recommendation, which may surprise all of you, that we continue next year with Marty Schottenheimer based on the fact that we are so talented a football team.” (link)

The Chargers decided to keep Marty on board (and they offered him an extension) after he lost again in the playoffs and after the coach and GM didn't get along. So those weren't the reasons he was subsequently fired.

That's one side of it --- AJ Smith's side. What is Schottenheimer's side?

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

To fire the head coach was a huge decision. To bring in a new head coach, the owner MUST have known then that he was basically throwing away a golden opportunity to win a SB. Because I know listening to Coach Parcells before WEEK 1 when going over SB contenders he was talking about how huge it is to have an entire new coaching staff trying to gel with themselves and with the players.

Barry Switzer went 12-4 in his first year with the Cowboys, and Bill Callahan went 11-5 in his first year with the Raiders.Those are the only two examples I can think of where new coaches took over talented and successful teams. It didn't take any time to gel, but it did take at least a year for things to fall apart. Maybe Norv will break their record and cause the Chargers to fall apart immediately . . . but they could still go 14-2 as of right now, and both their offense and defense have looked good at (different) times. So I'd wait at least a few more weeks before panicking, myself.

 

[yesitsme]

From everything I've read, Schottenheimer was fired because of a deep personality conflict between himself and the GM, and not for any other reason.

AJ and Marty didn't get along, but that's not why Marty was fired.Said AJ Smith in January of this year: “I made the recommendation, which may surprise all of you, that we continue next year with Marty Schottenheimer based on the fact that we are so talented a football team.” (link)

The Chargers decided to keep Marty on board (and they offered him an extension) after he lost again in the playoffs and after the coach and GM didn't get along. So those weren't the reasons he was subsequently fired.

That's one side of it --- AJ Smith's side. What is Schottenheimer's side?

That's a good point and one could only speculate. Probably something like; I've deserved a little wiggle room here in going 14-2 and one of the best teams in the league. I don't need to be micromanaged.Obviously the owner didn't agree. I still think the owner made a huge decision in not trying to find a way to get it worked out. Again, if he wins that game vs. NE I bet he doesn't get fired for that. I can't help but think him losing that game didn't play a large part into the frustration at the time.

 

[yesitsme]

To fire the head coach was a huge decision. To bring in a new head coach, the owner MUST have known then that he was basically throwing away a golden opportunity to win a SB. Because I know listening to Coach Parcells before WEEK 1 when going over SB contenders he was talking about how huge it is to have an entire new coaching staff trying to gel with themselves and with the players.

Barry Switzer went 12-4 in his first year with the Cowboys, and Bill Callahan went 11-5 in his first year with the Raiders.Those are the only two examples I can think of where new coaches took over talented and successful teams. It didn't take any time to gel, but it did take at least a year for things to fall apart. Maybe Norv will break their record and cause the Chargers to fall apart immediately . . . but they could still go 14-2 as of right now, and both their offense and defense have looked good at (different) times. So I'd wait at least a few more weeks before panicking, myself.

As a long time Cowboy fan, I was thinking of Switzer. Not to try and discredit you but the entire philosophy that year with Switzer was to just try and do what Dallas did last year. To basically mimic what they did before.I also think Dallas was so dominant compared to the rest of the NFL outside of SF that he had some wiggle room to work with. San Diego was not coming off a SB win, in fact to win they needed to get better than they were last year.Good points. FWIW, I feel bad for Norv Turner. He's in a lose, lose situation. He goes 14-2 and it's not that big of a deal. Anything less than a playoff win or SB appearance and it's a failure. That's rough.

 

[Chase Stuart]

To fire the head coach was a huge decision. To bring in a new head coach, the owner MUST have known then that he was basically throwing away a golden opportunity to win a SB. Because I know listening to Coach Parcells before WEEK 1 when going over SB contenders he was talking about how huge it is to have an entire new coaching staff trying to gel with themselves and with the players.

Barry Switzer went 12-4 in his first year with the Cowboys, and Bill Callahan went 11-5 in his first year with the Raiders.Those are the only two examples I can think of where new coaches took over talented and successful teams. It didn't take any time to gel, but it did take at least a year for things to fall apart. Maybe Norv will break their record and cause the Chargers to fall apart immediately . . . but they could still go 14-2 as of right now, and both their offense and defense have looked good at (different) times. So I'd wait at least a few more weeks before panicking, myself.

George Seifert won a SB as a rookie HC.