Chargers Hand the Reins to Schottenheimer

In hopes that a disciplinarian can rescue a floundering franchise that has not been to the playoffs in six seasons, the San Diego Chargers on Tuesday hired veteran NFL coach Marty Schottenheimer to replace the low-key Mike Riley.

And in remarks bristling with intensity, Schottenheimer made clear that he expects the Chargers, who have won only six games in the last two seasons, to become immediate contenders.

“I’ve never been inclined to talk about rebuilding programs,” Schottenheimer said. “I’ll tell you one thing: we have one goal. That goal is to win a world championship and we’re not afraid to talk about it.”

For openers, Schottenheimer said he plans for veteran Doug Flutie and second-year player Drew Brees to compete for the quarterback job. In one of his more controversial moves, Riley stuck with Flutie when the team suffered through a nine-game losing streak after starting the season 5-2.

Schottenheimer was fired Jan. 14 as coach of the Washington Redskins. He was replaced by former University of Florida coach Steve Spurrier.

The Redskins opened at 0-5 but closed at 8-8 in Schottenheimer’s only season.

In 10 seasons at Kansas City and four at Cleveland, Schottenheimer’s teams won six division titles but never appeared in a Super Bowl. That goal, Schottenheimer said, is what attracted him to the San Diego opening.

“If you ask me to describe what I do in one word it’s this: teach,” he said. “I live vicariously through those players on the field. They do things I could not do as a player myself [in six seasons with the Baltimore Colts, Buffalo Bills and Boston Patriots] because I didn’t have the stuff.”

Although terms of the contract were not released, Schottenheimer, 58, will reportedly receive $4.5 million to $5 million in the first three years of his contract and $2.5 million in the fourth year.

Although known to prefer the running game, Schottenheimer joked that, “One time in my career I’d like to have the chance to throw 50 passes a game for an entire season, but I’m not sure how many games we’d win.”

In Schottenheimer, owner Alex Spanos has hired a coach with more NFL experience than his four predecessors combined: Bobby Ross, Kevin Gilbride, June Jones and Riley.

“Winning is everything in our business,” said Spanos. “Today we’re hiring a winner.”

Dean Spanos, team president and son of the owner, said the Chargers had talked to Schottenheimer in past years but never made an offer.

Tony Perry

*

Jay Hayes was fired as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ special-teams coach after a season-long series of breakdowns capped by two touchdown-producing misplays in the AFC championship game.

Hayes was the only assistant let go, though coach Bill Cowher gave offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey and quarterbacks coach Tom Clements permission to talk to other teams.

Also Tuesday, Troy Edwards, once considered the Steelers’ star receiver of the future, was one of five players left unprotected for the Feb. 18 expansion draft.

Also on the Steelers’ list were fullback Jon Witman, long snapper Mike Schneck, offensive lineman Roger Duffy and wide receiver Will Blackwell.

Steeler running back Jerome Bettis will skip the Pro Bowl because of the groin injury that sidelined him for all but one of the final seven games.

*

The Houston Texans hired former Florida defensive coordinator Jon Hoke as their defensive backs coach.

Associated Press