Former Chargers HC Marty Schottenheimer placed in hospice facility

On Wednesday afternoon, it was reported that former Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer had been moved into a hospice facility near his home in Charlotte, North Carolina this past Saturday.

The 77-year old Schottenheimer was diagnosed with Alzheimers back in 2014 and recently experienced some complications from his condition.

In a public memo from his family, Pat Schottenheimer, his wife, said they are “surrounding him with love and are soaking up the prayers and support from all those he impacted through his incredible life.”

Schottenheimer was hired as the head coach of the Chargers prior to the 2002 NFL season. The team struggled in his first two years, but the team’s 4-12 record in 2003 earned them the number-one overall pick which ended up being quarterback Philip Rivers when all the Eli Manning-drama was over with.

The Bolts went 12-4 in 2004 and won the AFC West. After a 7-9 season in 2005, they vaulted to the top of the league in 2006 with a 14-2 record, another AFC West crown, and a record-breaking MVP season for running back LaDainian Tomlinson. Despite the success, a strained relationship between team president Dean Spanos and Schottenheimer led to a surprising exit for the head coach. He finished his time in San Diego with an overall record of 47-33 with an 0-2 mark in the playoffs.