Sports stats



Destroyers Head Coach Nominated for Hall of Fame

September 29, 2011 - United Football League (UFL 1) News Release


VIRGINIA BEACH, VA - Thursday, September 29, 2011 - Virginia Destroyers Head Coach MARTY SCHOTTENHEIMER has been nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Schottenheimer, running back Tiki Barber, quarterback Drew Bledsoe, wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, guard Will Shields, and coaches Bill Cowher and Bill Parcells are among the 11 first-year eligible modern-era candidates for the Class of 2012.

"Obviously, it is a huge honor to even be considered," said Schottenheimer, who is 2-0 as head coach of the Destroyers, who are playing their inaugural season in the United Football League. "It's flattering."

The Destroyers opened the 2011 UFL season under Schottenheimer with a 23-13 road win in Omaha over the Nighthawks then in their home debut enjoyed a 34-17 victory over the defending champion Las Vegas Locos.

Schottenheimer has more than 30 years of National Football League coaching experience and ranks sixth all-time in NFL history with 200 regular-season victories. His NFL head coaching record is 205-139-1 (.596), and he is one of a handful of NFL head coaches to lead at least three different franchises to the playoffs. Schottenheimer's regular-season record is 200-126-1.

Schottenheimer was Head Coach of the San Diego Chargers from 2002-06, guiding the franchise to two AFC West championships and a 47-33 regular-season record. In 2004, Schottenheimer led the Chargers to one of the greatest turnarounds in NFL history, taking a team that finished last in the AFC West (4-12) in 2003 and turning it into an AFC West Champion (12-4) in 2004. It was the franchise's first division title since 1994, and the Chargers became the 22nd team in NFL history to go from worst to first since 1967.

The Associated Press, Pro Football Weekly, the Professional Football Writers of America, SportsIllustrated.com, American Football Monthly, The Dallas Morning News, CBS SportsLine.com and the NFL Alumni Association named Schottenheimer NFL Coach of the Year in 2004. He also was chosen as Professional Coach of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club and AFC Coach of the Year by the NFL 101 Committee in Kansas City.

Prior to his time in San Diego, Schottenheimer was the Head Coach of the Washington Redskins during the 2001 season, going 8-8.

For a decade from 1989-98, Schottenheimer was the Head Coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, during which time the Chiefs averaged 10 wins a season and made seven playoff appearances. Under Schottenheimer, the Chiefs won the AFC West title three times and finished second in the division six times.

Schottenheimer's combined regular-season and postseason record in Kansas City was 104-65-1 (.615). While with the Chiefs, he was named AFC Coach of the Year by Football News in 1995, and the NFL Coach of the Year (Football Digest) and AFC Coach of the Year (USA Today) in 1997.

Schottenheimer's time as an NFL Head Coach began in the middle of the 1984 season, when he was named by the Cleveland Browns to replace Sam Rutigliano. After going 4-4 to finish that season, Schottenheimer guided the Browns to four consecutive playoff appearances from 1985-88, including three straight AFC Central Division titles from 1985-87. Cleveland played in the 1986 and 1987 AFC Championship Games.

Schottenheimer, who was 46-31 (.597) combined with the Browns, was named 1986 AFC Coach of the Year by United Press International and Football News.

The complete list of nominees for the Class of 2012 consists of 105 candidates. From that list of nominees, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee will choose 25 candidates who will advance as semifinalist nominees. The list of 25 semifinalists will be announced in mid-November.

Between four and seven enshrines will be announced on February 4 and will be inducted at the Hall of Fame.

• Discuss this story on the United Football League message board...

United Football League Stories from September 29, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central