Marty Schottenheimer, a former longtime NFL head coach, was moved Saturday to a hospice center near his home in Charlotte, NC, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease, his family said in a statement issued Wednesday by ESPN.
The 77-year-old Schottenheimer, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014, is listed as stable, according to the website.
“As a family, we surround him with love,” Schotteheimer’s wife, Pat, said in a statement, speaking on behalf of the couple’s children, Kristin and Brian, “and we absorb the prayers and support of all those who have been affected by his incredible life.” In the way he taught us all, we put one foot in front of the other … one piece at a time ”.
Schottenheimer – NFL coach for 21 seasons never managed to win a Super Bowl – but compiled an impressive 205-139-1 record, including the playoffs, which is the most eight wins of a coach in all the times.
Schottenheimer, who coached the Browns, Chiefs, Washington and Chargers, led his teams to many successful regular seasons, but recorded only a 5-13 record in the playoffs. He led three teams to the AFC Championship, but never managed to bring any of these teams into the Super Bowl.
Schottenheimer – who was the NFL Coach of the Year in 2004 when he led the Chargers 12-4 – ended his coaching career in 2006. It was a painful closing note as he led San Diego to a 14-2 and the best record in the NFL just for his team to fall to the New England Patriots in the divisional round.
Schottenheimer also played six seasons in the NFL from 1965-1970 as a defender for the Bills and Patriots.
His son Brian is now following in his father’s footsteps as NFL coaches, recently reaching an agreement to become the Jaguars’ game coordinator, according to ESPN.