The sports world reacted with tributes to news of coach Marty Schottenheimer’s death Tuesday following a battle with Alzheimer’s, calling him a great coach and more. He was 77.
“So sorry to hear about the passing of Marty Schottenheimer,” former head coach Tony Dungy tweeted, who was Marty’s defensive backs coach with the Chiefs from 1989-1991, according to USA Today in a piece published Tuesday. (RELATED: Chargers’ Rookie Justin Herbert Had It All Planned Out When He Was Nine)
“He was a great man and a great coach,” he added. “He impacted so many lives for the better, including mine. My heart goes out to the Schottenheimer family.”
So sorry to hear about the passing of Marty Schottenheimer. He was a great man and a great coach. He impacted so many lives for the better, including mine. My heart goes out to the Schottenheimer family. pic.twitter.com/Hsdj6kV071
— Tony Dungy (@TonyDungy) February 9, 2021
“RIP Marty Schottenheimer,” Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians wrote on social media. Arians was the Chiefs running backs coach under Schottenheimer from 1989-92. (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)
“I will always appreciate Marty giving me my first shot in the NFL,” he added. “Great Coach. My condolences to his family.”
RIP Marty Schottenheimer. I will always appreciate Marty giving me my first shot in the NFL. Great Coach. My condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/VABRJDu4X1
— Bruce Arians (@BruceArians) February 9, 2021
Thank you #martyschottenheimer for trusting me as a leader in a 2004 @Chargers lockerroom and helping establish a winning culture w/ a group of young talented guys. My favorite coach of all time. I love you and your family always! pic.twitter.com/6c8yMoUs67
— Roman Oben (@R_Oben) February 9, 2021
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Marty Schottenheimer, 1943-2021.
We lost a great Pitt man today.https://t.co/QNzzzOYzPG pic.twitter.com/8bNrkqLVMw
— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) February 9, 2021
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We join the @NFL community in mourning the passing of Marty Schottenheimer, who spent part of his legendary coaching career with the Detroit Lions as a linebackers coach from 1978-79. pic.twitter.com/ZJZ6nKezeT
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) February 9, 2021
We are saddened by the passing of former NFL head coach and Boston Patriot Marty Schottenheimer: https://t.co/45szHTeoDO
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) February 9, 2021
We express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of former Bills linebacker and NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer who passed away at age 77. https://t.co/alaWehz7dB pic.twitter.com/Xn8G6Oj0HM
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) February 9, 2021
Marty Schottenheimer won a lot with the Browns, Chiefs and Chargers. Also built quite a coaching tree. On the 1990 @Chiefs staff alone …
DC Bill Cowher
DBs coach @TonyDungy
RBs coach @BruceArians
Scout Herman EdwardsAlso on that staff: Howard Mudd, Al Saunders.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) February 9, 2021
Clark Hunt on death of Marty Schottenheimer: “Marty’s teams made Chiefs football a proud part of Kansas City’s identity once again, and the team’s resurgence forged a powerful bond with a new generation of fans who created the legendary home-field advantage at Arrowhead Stadium.” pic.twitter.com/In4307n7GA
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) February 9, 2021
I was blessed to have the opportunity to play for Marty Schottenheimer who was an amazing coach and leader. He did things the right way! Those KC teams were always prepared, tough and physical.#MARTYBALL
— Rich Gannon (@RichGannon12) February 9, 2021
Statement from Dan and Tanya Snyder on the passing of Marty Schottenheimer pic.twitter.com/RHfL79AreY
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) February 9, 2021
From @Browns on the passing of former head coach Marty Schottenheimer pic.twitter.com/w2xWInAUyh
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) February 9, 2021
An absolute legend of the gridiron. Coach Marty Schottenheimer coached the Senior Bowl 4 times, representing the Chiefs and the Chargers, including the 2004 game where he got an up-close look at QB Philip Rivers prior to the NFL Draft. RIP Coach. pic.twitter.com/np3N9k7uUC
— Reese’s Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) February 9, 2021
I learned to love the @NFL while watching “Marty Ball” and the 1985 @Browns.
Kevin Mack and @EByner both rushed for 1,000 yards and rookie @BernieKosarQB did the rest. They made the playoffs at 8-8 and almost beat @DanMarino in Miami. I was hooked.
RIP, Marty Schottenheimer.
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) February 9, 2021
As previously reported, during Schottenheimer’s 21 years as a head coach in the National Football League, he coached the Cleveland Browns for five seasons; the Kansas City Chiefs for 10 seasons; the then-San Diego Chargers for five seasons; and the then-Washington Redskins for one season.
Marty’s NFL career came to an end in 2006. His record as a winning coach sits at 200-126-1 in the regular season, 5-13 in the postseason.