University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Pitt Alumnus and Football Letterman Marty Schottenheimer Passes Away
2/9/2021 9:30:00 AM | Football
PITTSBURGH—Marty Schottenheimer, a linebacker and center at Pitt from 1961-64 who went on to a highly accomplished NFL coaching career, has passed away. He was 77.
Born in Canonsburg, Pa., Schottenheimer attended Fort Cherry High School, where he was an all-state football player and a starter for the Rangers' PIAA champion basketball team.
He matriculated to the University of Pittsburgh in the fall of 1961—turning down offers from Penn State, Maryland and Virginia—and joined the Panthers football program under Coach John Michelosen. After an initial season on the freshman team, Schottenheimer earned three varsity letters. As a junior in 1963, he helped Pitt to a 9-1 record and No. 3 final ranking.
Schottenheimer concluded his Pitt career with an exceptional senior season. His play at linebacker earned him national accolades and he received prestigious postseason invites to the Senior Bowl as well as the College All-Star Game against the National Football League champion Cleveland Browns.
The late Beano Cook, Pitt's sports information director from 1956-66, said Schottenheimer impressed on the field and in the postgame media room.
"What I remember most about Marty was that studious look he had with those glasses," Cook said in Schottenheimer's 2012 autobiography Martyball. "He looked more like a college professor than a linebacker. And he was so well spoken and literate. But let me tell you, he was a damn good football player, too. Don't let him or anyone else kid you. I sent out letters to every sportswriter in the country trying to get him first team All-American his senior year. He deserved it. He was that good. He wound up second team All-American but he should have been first team."
In 1965, Schottenheimer was selected in both pro football drafts. He was picked in the fourth round by the NFL's Baltimore Colts and seventh round by the American Football League's Buffalo Bills.
Schottenheimer opted for the upstart AFL and spent four years in Buffalo (1965-68), including the Bills' 1965 AFL championship season under Coach Lou Saban. Schottenheimer then played two seasons in Boston (1969-70) as a member of the Patriots. Over his six-year pro playing career, he appeared in 79 games and intercepted six passes, returning one for a touchdown.
Unable to latch onto a team for the 1971 season, Schottenheimer went to work in real estate. With the arrival of the World Football League in 1974, he joined the Portland Storm as a player/coach. A preseason injury kept him from the field and he spent the season as the team's linebacker coach.
His WFL stint served as his reentry into football and launched a three-decade coaching career in the NFL.
Schottenheimer joined the New York Giants as linebackers coach in 1975 and ascended to defensive coordinator in 1977. Following a one-season stop with the Detroit Lions (1978), he joined the Browns as defensive coordinator in 1979, serving in that position until midway through 1984, when he replaced Sam Rutigliano as head coach.
From 1985-88, he led the Browns to their most successful era since the 1960s, winning three AFC Central titles and advancing to two AFC Championship Games.
One of Schottenheimer's standouts was former Pitt basketball star Sam Clancy, who became a menacing defensive end for those Cleveland teams.
"Marty was a tough, no-nonsense coach. He brought out the best in me as a player and as a man," Clancy said. "I'll always love and respect the way he treated us, looked out for us, but held us accountable to the team. Marty was a great motivator. When we won, he gave the credit to us. When we lost, he always put it on himself.
"Because we both went to Pitt, he would always talk about my basketball skills. We always kept up with what Pitt was doing. He'd see me and say, 'Sam, did you see Pitt had a great game yesterday?' I was blessed to have him in my life. Marty and his family are in my prayers."
Pitt head football coach Pat Narduzzi grew up in Northeast Ohio watching the Browns under Schottenheimer.
"Coach Schottenheimer made it fun to be a Browns fan again in the 1980s," Narduzzi said. "He really revitalized that team and made them an annual Super Bowl contender. He was a tremendous coach, but an even better leader. I think that's why he raised the level of every organization he ever joined. We are proud to call him a Pitt Man and our entire program extends its deepest sympathies to the Schottenheimer family."
"On behalf of the University of Pittsburgh, we send our heartfelt condolences to Coach Schottenheimer's wife, Pat, his children, Brian and Kristen, and many loved ones," Director of Athletics Heather Lyke said. "As a Canton native, I saw firsthand the excitement he brought to Cleveland. With more than 200 victories coaching in the NFL, it is evident that he brought excellence to each of his coaching stops. Pitt takes great pride in his wonderful legacy as coach, leader and man."
In addition to Cleveland, Schottenheimer would serve as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs (1989-98), Washington (2001) and San Diego Chargers (2002-06). Including postseason appearances, he compiled a 205-139-1 career record. Schottenheimer was named the NFL's Coach of the Year in 2004 with the Chargers. His final season as an NFL head coach was in 2006, when he led the Chargers to a 14-2 regular season.
Schottenheimer graduated from Pitt in 1966 with a bachelor's degree in English.
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Born in Canonsburg, Pa., Schottenheimer attended Fort Cherry High School, where he was an all-state football player and a starter for the Rangers' PIAA champion basketball team.
He matriculated to the University of Pittsburgh in the fall of 1961—turning down offers from Penn State, Maryland and Virginia—and joined the Panthers football program under Coach John Michelosen. After an initial season on the freshman team, Schottenheimer earned three varsity letters. As a junior in 1963, he helped Pitt to a 9-1 record and No. 3 final ranking.
Schottenheimer concluded his Pitt career with an exceptional senior season. His play at linebacker earned him national accolades and he received prestigious postseason invites to the Senior Bowl as well as the College All-Star Game against the National Football League champion Cleveland Browns.
The late Beano Cook, Pitt's sports information director from 1956-66, said Schottenheimer impressed on the field and in the postgame media room.
"What I remember most about Marty was that studious look he had with those glasses," Cook said in Schottenheimer's 2012 autobiography Martyball. "He looked more like a college professor than a linebacker. And he was so well spoken and literate. But let me tell you, he was a damn good football player, too. Don't let him or anyone else kid you. I sent out letters to every sportswriter in the country trying to get him first team All-American his senior year. He deserved it. He was that good. He wound up second team All-American but he should have been first team."
In 1965, Schottenheimer was selected in both pro football drafts. He was picked in the fourth round by the NFL's Baltimore Colts and seventh round by the American Football League's Buffalo Bills.
Schottenheimer opted for the upstart AFL and spent four years in Buffalo (1965-68), including the Bills' 1965 AFL championship season under Coach Lou Saban. Schottenheimer then played two seasons in Boston (1969-70) as a member of the Patriots. Over his six-year pro playing career, he appeared in 79 games and intercepted six passes, returning one for a touchdown.
Unable to latch onto a team for the 1971 season, Schottenheimer went to work in real estate. With the arrival of the World Football League in 1974, he joined the Portland Storm as a player/coach. A preseason injury kept him from the field and he spent the season as the team's linebacker coach.
His WFL stint served as his reentry into football and launched a three-decade coaching career in the NFL.
Schottenheimer joined the New York Giants as linebackers coach in 1975 and ascended to defensive coordinator in 1977. Following a one-season stop with the Detroit Lions (1978), he joined the Browns as defensive coordinator in 1979, serving in that position until midway through 1984, when he replaced Sam Rutigliano as head coach.
From 1985-88, he led the Browns to their most successful era since the 1960s, winning three AFC Central titles and advancing to two AFC Championship Games.
One of Schottenheimer's standouts was former Pitt basketball star Sam Clancy, who became a menacing defensive end for those Cleveland teams.
"Marty was a tough, no-nonsense coach. He brought out the best in me as a player and as a man," Clancy said. "I'll always love and respect the way he treated us, looked out for us, but held us accountable to the team. Marty was a great motivator. When we won, he gave the credit to us. When we lost, he always put it on himself.
"Because we both went to Pitt, he would always talk about my basketball skills. We always kept up with what Pitt was doing. He'd see me and say, 'Sam, did you see Pitt had a great game yesterday?' I was blessed to have him in my life. Marty and his family are in my prayers."
Pitt head football coach Pat Narduzzi grew up in Northeast Ohio watching the Browns under Schottenheimer.
"Coach Schottenheimer made it fun to be a Browns fan again in the 1980s," Narduzzi said. "He really revitalized that team and made them an annual Super Bowl contender. He was a tremendous coach, but an even better leader. I think that's why he raised the level of every organization he ever joined. We are proud to call him a Pitt Man and our entire program extends its deepest sympathies to the Schottenheimer family."
"On behalf of the University of Pittsburgh, we send our heartfelt condolences to Coach Schottenheimer's wife, Pat, his children, Brian and Kristen, and many loved ones," Director of Athletics Heather Lyke said. "As a Canton native, I saw firsthand the excitement he brought to Cleveland. With more than 200 victories coaching in the NFL, it is evident that he brought excellence to each of his coaching stops. Pitt takes great pride in his wonderful legacy as coach, leader and man."
In addition to Cleveland, Schottenheimer would serve as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs (1989-98), Washington (2001) and San Diego Chargers (2002-06). Including postseason appearances, he compiled a 205-139-1 career record. Schottenheimer was named the NFL's Coach of the Year in 2004 with the Chargers. His final season as an NFL head coach was in 2006, when he led the Chargers to a 14-2 regular season.
Schottenheimer graduated from Pitt in 1966 with a bachelor's degree in English.
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