Passed over for top spot, Schottenheimer finds same gig, bigger role

[JetsFan34]

Passed over for top spot, Schottenheimer finds same gig, bigger role

By Thomas George | NFL.com

Senior Columnist

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- He has a bigger and stronger voice now, a more distinct one on how the Jets will play it, how this offense under constant construction in recent seasons can become more frank. And that gives Brian Schottenheimer effervescent energy.

Somewhere between Eric Mangini's firing as Jets head coach and Schottenheimer's denial for the job and Rex Ryan's hiring, Schottenheimer has re-tooled his thinking and amped his approach and found a nook that every NFL offensive coordinator seeks. And he believes his fourth season in this role for the Jets can be unlike the other three, a more original reflection of his approach, his voice.

"When you think about the fact we had Chad (Pennington) at quarterback in the first season here in 2006, then Chad was hurt and we went with Kellen (Clemens) on the fly in 2007, then Brett Favre coming in last year late, we've basically had three different offenses," Schottenheimer said. "When I interviewed and didn't get the head job here, sure, that was tough and it made it a situation where I didn't know if I'd be here at all. But Rex comes in and he was in the same situation last year in Baltimore when he didn't get the head job. We're both coach's sons, so that was common. I called around for a day before we met and talked to 12 people trying to get someone to say something bad about Rex. I couldn't find it. All you wanted to hear in that meeting we had was you can be a part of it, be you, and do what you do. After 10 minutes, it was, let's go. I have only been around him a couple of months but I love the guy.

"You look for freedom in your job. Rex said from Day 1 here's what I want to include, but go. That is something, when someone gives you that type of responsibility, I take it with great pride. He is the head coach. It's his football team. But he truly has given me his blessings to lead this group more."

And so he will, using a portfolio at age 35 that starts with one of the most respected head coaches by his peers in league history, his father, Marty, all the way up to Mangini, who gave him his first shot at offensive coordinator. Schottehemer's mentors are plenty after pro coaching stops in St. Louis and Kansas City, college ones at Syracuse and USC before back to the pros at Washington, San Diego and the Jets.

It was Giants coach Tom Coughlin who told him in 1999 that "until you're in your own room, you don't know what coaching is all about." Coughlin meant coaching your own people, your own group, meeting with and disciplining that group, preparing it and being accountable for it. That happened for Schottenheimer at Syracuse when he coached wide receivers there in '99. Paul Pasqualoni was head coach. Now, Schottenheimer faces him twice a year, matching wits, since Pasqualoni is the Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator.

Schottenheimer was a quarterback at Kansas when he decided after his freshman season that he was not good enough to have a pro playing career, but could become good enough to have a pro coaching one. He visited seven colleges in five days with his mother, Pat, and selected Florida and coach Steve Spurrier. The 12-1 Gators would win the national championship in 1997 with Danny Wuerffel at quarterback.

"Steve was playing wide open, empty sets, flexible," Schottenheimer said. "He treated me like I was an extra coach. He let me signal in the offense. It was like a backstage pass for the greatest show in college football at that point. I studied the way he attacked coverages. How he fit his personnel groupings to get the ball to people."

He took notes. Lots of them, all along the way. It is a joke with his players now, because he often tells them "Write this down!" when instructing them in meetings. Schottenheimer takes the blame for the Jets' 2008 offense that was part of an 8-3 start, but fizzled into a 1-4 finish including a regular-season finale loss at home to Miami that crushed playoff hopes.

"I have to take responsibility for that," he said. "We didn't adjust as coaches. We weren't very consistent. We didn't execute well. We weren't as good on third downs. We had ball security issues. Also, this business is about momentum. We had it, we were riding high. And once it started to go down, we had a hard time getting it back."

He has never complained that Favre was thrown into his lap late after Schotteheimer had spent an offseason building the offense to play in another fashion. He has never said that the adjustment for Favre and all involved was huge, that Favre was a West Coast quarterback entering a shifting, motion, multiple offense. He has never admitted that a coach in his third season as offensive coordinator has little chance of doing it more his way and more of what he believes in when hitched with the veteran, big personality that is Favre.

But we can say it, because it is true.

Now comes a new Schottenheimer voice. A bigger, stronger more distinct one.

He wants balance. To be able to run the ball when teams know it is coming and pass it when they know it is coming. He wants to be multiple in formations and shifts and approach. He will feature what his players do well, something every offensive player asks of his coordinator: Does he know what I do well? Is he going to feature that? Schottenheimer gets that.

He is a playcaller who looks at the huddle from the sideline and decides "I want to get the ball to this player." And he makes his calls, in part, based on that. He will give his quarterbacks some flexibility, but "you might see a stare every now and then when the ball is not going where we want it."

Here are his views on:

Running backs Thomas Jones and Leon Washington missing recent voluntary workouts due to contract issues:"The thing we know as coaches is those guys know the system. We also know this is May and this is voluntary, so, you move on. That means other people are getting lots of reps. It means we get to evaluate other players more and see their positives. A focus in coaching is to get the guys who are here in the building better today than they were the day before."

On whether the quarterback competition between Kellen Clemens and Mark Sanchez is really a competition:"People do not realize the fire in Kellen Clemens' heart and soul. He has said all the right things. He totally feels this is his team. We brought Philip Rivers into San Diego to replace Drew Brees and Rivers sat for two years. Kellen has really grown as a player. When you look into his eyes, there is something different now. It says don't be too quick to count out Kellen Clemens, and we won't. It will be a competition."

On the Jets lacking a true deep threat or No. 1 wide receiver: "I do not look at it that way. Teams that do well in this league replace players. Jerricho Cotchery is a No. 1 receiver in this league. His numbers say so. It is time he got that opportunity to be a No. 1 receiver. We've got good receivers who are developing and getting better. Brad Smith. Chansi Stuckey. David Clowney. Henry Ellard is coaching those guys well. I feel very comfortable with the guys we have there. But we all know that NFL rosters are liquid."

Former longtime NFL coach Dan Reeves has watched the rise and maturation of Schottenheimer and sees a future NFL head coach.

"Impressive, great job working with his people and maturity beyond his years," Reeves said. "He reminds me of when I was a rookie coach in Dallas and was coaching a lot of guys older than me. He makes sense. He is sold on what he believes in. He is flexible with his system. He does not try to blow smoke up your rear. I like that."

Schottenheimer has a new voice. A bigger, stronger, more distinct one.

But there was a time not long ago when he wondered if he would, literally, have one at all.

"Out of the blue one morning in 2004 when I was coaching in San Diego, I woke up with a pain in my throat," he said. "I got it checked. There was a bump in my throat. It tested positive for thyroid cancer. The doctors said it was a very slow growing cancer and I could wait until after the season to have surgery. I wasn't going to wait. We got in touch with (Washington Redskins owner) Dan Snyder, who had experienced something similar, and he graciously got us in touch with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Four days after finding out, I had surgery. And that Friday that followed I was at work for our preseason game against Indy. They took my thyroid completely out. I had 17 lymph nodes removed. I have to take a pill every day for the rest of my life. But I am fine.

"I was most concerned about my voice. A coach needs to be able to talk. I didn't lose my voice."

No, in a fascinating way, he is just finding it.

[SenorGato]

I really, really like Schottenheimer at OC.

This should be a very good year for him now that he's got 1 QB with 4 years under him and a newly drafted QB that'll only know his system.

*Mandatory "Mangini didn't let anybody didn't do anything" line.*

[JetsFan34]

I really, really like Schottenheimer at OC.

This should be a very good year for him now that he's got 1 QB with 4 years under him and a newly drafted QB that'll only know his system.

*Mandatory "Mangini didn't let anybody didn't do anything" line.*

Hope you're right on Schotty. In particular, I'd like to see less gimmicky stuff, and more real packages for folks like Brad Smith and Leon Washington for example.

[T0mShane]

Schottenheimer is an excuse-maker. When his garbage gimmick plays work, he's out there right in front, beaming and smiling. But when one of his adjustment-free, senseless offensive "schemes" gets blown up and the team scores 19 points, "sources" started whispering to the papers about what a control freak Mangini was. Schottenheimer learned the whole media game well from his father, and he put it to good use, stabbing Eric right in the back on the way out the door. There is NO WAY that Rex Ryan will put up with a weasel like Schottenheimer if things start to go bad. No way.

[Thai Jet]

Schottenheimer is an excuse-maker. When his garbage gimmick plays work, he's out there right in front, beaming and smiling. But when one of his adjustment-free, senseless offensive "schemes" gets blown up and the team scores 19 points, "sources" started whispering to the papers about what a control freak Mangini was. Schottenheimer learned the whole media game well from his father, and he put it to good use, stabbing Eric right in the back on the way out the door. There is NO WAY that Rex Ryan will put up with a weasel like Schottenheimer if things start to go bad. No way.

Very interesting post TOm. We shall see.

[Larz]

That happened for Schottenheimer at Syracuse when he coached wide receivers there in '99. Paul Pasqualoni was head coach. Now, Schottenheimer faces him twice a year, matching wits, since Pasqualoni is the Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator.

very interesting, that adds even more spice

[Larz]

Schottenheimer is an excuse-maker. When his garbage gimmick plays work, he's out there right in front, beaming and smiling. But when one of his adjustment-free, senseless offensive "schemes" gets blown up and the team scores 19 points, "sources" started whispering to the papers about what a control freak Mangini was. Schottenheimer learned the whole media game well from his father, and he put it to good use, stabbing Eric right in the back on the way out the door. There is NO WAY that Rex Ryan will put up with a weasel like Schottenheimer if things start to go bad. No way.

o rly ?

"Schottenheimer takes the blame for the Jets' 2008 offense that was part of an 8-3 start, but fizzled into a 1-4 finish including a regular-season finale loss at home to Miami that crushed playoff hopes.

"I have to take responsibility for that," he said. "We didn't adjust as coaches. We weren't very consistent. We didn't execute well. We weren't as good on third downs. We had ball security issues. Also, this business is about momentum. We had it, we were riding high. And once it started to go down, we had a hard time getting it back."

[RSJ]

Schottenheimer is an excuse-maker. When his garbage gimmick plays work, he's out there right in front, beaming and smiling. But when one of his adjustment-free, senseless offensive "schemes" gets blown up and the team scores 19 points, "sources" started whispering to the papers about what a control freak Mangini was. Schottenheimer learned the whole media game well from his father, and he put it to good use, stabbing Eric right in the back on the way out the door. There is NO WAY that Rex Ryan will put up with a weasel like Schottenheimer if things start to go bad. No way.

Exactly. Sick of this guys excuses. Win some football games and shut up.

[JMJ]

Schottenheimer is an excuse-maker. When his garbage gimmick plays work, he's out there right in front, beaming and smiling. But when one of his adjustment-free, senseless offensive "schemes" gets blown up and the team scores 19 points, "sources" started whispering to the papers about what a control freak Mangini was. Schottenheimer learned the whole media game well from his father, and he put it to good use, stabbing Eric right in the back on the way out the door. There is NO WAY that Rex Ryan will put up with a weasel like Schottenheimer if things start to go bad. No way.

Schottenheimer is a bum and by FAR the weakest link on this coaching staff. He is truly terrible and I'm super pissed he is back.

Rex's only mistake thus far if you ask me.

[JMJ]

o rly ?

"Schottenheimer takes the blame for the Jets' 2008 offense that was part of an 8-3 start, but fizzled into a 1-4 finish including a regular-season finale loss at home to Miami that crushed playoff hopes.

"I have to take responsibility for that," he said. "We didn't adjust as coaches. We weren't very consistent. We didn't execute well. We weren't as good on third downs. We had ball security issues. Also, this business is about momentum. We had it, we were riding high. And once it started to go down, we had a hard time getting it back."

That is why he is a bum.

He had a QB who he knew was playing with a torn bicep tendon, but also had one of the top 5 rushing attacks in all the NFL. Why he continuously called 30+ passes per game in late November and all through December is purely idiotic.

And the Jets have a player named Leon Washington who is pretty f0ckin good, so good he can easily be called the best offensive weapon on the team. Him only getting 100+ touches combined on offense last season was CRIMINAL to us as fans and the team as a whole.

Schotty sucks. Period. He won't look as bad as he really is since we have an awesome offensive line, but if you really watch what he is doing and calling play-in and play-out during the season you will have no choice but to agree.

[Borgoguy]

That is why he is a bum.

He had a QB who he knew was playing with a torn bicep tendon, but also had one of the top 5 rushing attacks in all the NFL. Why he continuously called 30+ passes per game in late November and all through December is purely idiotic.

And the Jets have a player named Leon Washington who is pretty f0ckin good, so good he can easily be called the best offensive weapon on the team. Him only getting 100+ touches combined on offense last season was CRIMINAL to us as fans and the team as a whole.

Schotty sucks. Period. He won't look as bad as he really is since we have an awesome offensive line, but if you really watch what he is doing and calling play-in and play-out during the season you will have no choice but to agree.

I couldn't agree with you more. I went on my own anti-Schottenheimer tirade when Rex was hired and Schotty was allowed to continue as OC. I said it then, and I'll do it again now: All those years that Rex was campaigning for his first head coaching job--where he met with owners of various teams to lay out his philosophy and approach--he must have had an OC in mind to run that part of the program. There is no doubt in my mind on this. Every HC hopeful has a group of coaches that he intends to install. Now, Rex comes to the Jets and he tells us that Brian Schottenheimer is "one of the best offensive minds in the NFL". And no mention of "his guy"? What? Our Brian Schottenheimer? I still want to know why Jet management forced Rex to keep him on, and who was the guy he had in mind for OC.

[jetophile]

Schottenheimer is an excuse-maker. When his garbage gimmick plays work, he's out there right in front, beaming and smiling. But when one of his adjustment-free, senseless offensive "schemes" gets blown up and the team scores 19 points, "sources" started whispering to the papers about what a control freak Mangini was. Schottenheimer learned the whole media game well from his father, and he put it to good use, stabbing Eric right in the back on the way out the door. There is NO WAY that Rex Ryan will put up with a weasel like Schottenheimer if things start to go bad. No way.

I get the self-hating angle, but re-evaluate just a bit? 2006 was all about smoke and mirrors, and that's why we went 10-6. Smoke and mirrors is what football is all about, and it can win you games once in anon, so why crap on it? My argument with Schottenheimer today is that EVERYONE knows what's going to happen when Brad Smith is on the field. It was fun when he first used it though. Am I riggggggggght. Plus, I question if Schottenheimer wasn't handcuffed. Just putting that out there.

[Blackout]

interesting read

[NJ]

Until he puts a good product on the field - he's nothing more than a complete underachiever. This, despite having had the benefit of a great education in coaching and a few quarterbacks that end up in Canton.

Pissed because he's been passed up on HC jobs? What the hell has he done aside from prove conclusively that he's clueless at how to adapt to defense changes? I want to support the guy 100% and will if he shows he can be a valued OC. Right now the only thing I like about him in the job is not having to start from scratch with a new O.

We'll see how tight the reigns were that Tubby had on him.

[billo83]

I couldn't agree with you more. I went on my own anti-Schottenheimer tirade when Rex was hired and Schotty was allowed to continue as OC. I said it then, and I'll do it again now: All those years that Rex was campaigning for his first head coaching job--where he met with owners of various teams to lay out his philosophy and approach--he must have had an OC in mind to run that part of the program. There is no doubt in my mind on this. Every HC hopeful has a group of coaches that he intends to install. Now, Rex comes to the Jets and he tells us that Brian Schottenheimer is "one of the best offensive minds in the NFL". And no mention of "his guy"? What? Our Brian Schottenheimer? I still want to know why Jet management forced Rex to keep him on, and who was the guy he had in mind for OC.

Conspiracy theory? Would Rex take this job, knowing that he is being dictated on who to hire for his assistants? Isn't it entirely possible that Schot was one of Rex's favorites that was available for the job?

I'm not saying that Schot if one of the best OC out there, but I do believe he was severley handcuffed by Mangini. Not adjusting to the D schemes certainly has EM's footprints. I will give Rex the benefit of the doubt in this situation. One thing is for sure - we will find out what kind of OC he is this season.

[Borgoguy]

Conspiracy theory? Would Rex take this job, knowing that he is being dictated on who to hire for his assistants? Isn't it entirely possible that Schot was one of Rex's favorites that was available for the job?

I'm not saying that Schot if one of the best OC out there, but I do believe he was severley handcuffed by Mangini. Not adjusting to the D schemes certainly has EM's footprints. I will give Rex the benefit of the doubt in this situation. One thing is for sure - we will find out what kind of OC he is this season.

It's not a conspiracy theory, just a question that begs an answer. If Rex came out and said he had Schottenheimer in his sights all along as his ideal OC, I'll accept it. You don't really believe that tripe do you, Billo. You seem to be at least somewhat functional. This is what your logical appraisal of the situation tells you? Or are you hook, line and sinker into the company line?

You want us to accept that Brian Schottenheimer was the coach Rex had in mind all those years when he was planning and honing his pitch to the NFL owner who would interview him? Again, Brian Schottenheimer??!! What the f**k has he done anyway? Nothing but come up with excuses for his abysmal play calling and the way his unit executed, especially during crunch time. Someday we'll get the real story. Probably after Schotty f**ks up another season for us and gets sh*t canned.

[Sperm Edwards]

Schottenheimer was less accomplished as a coordinator and less qualified to be a HC at the close of the 2008 season than Cottrell was after the 2003 season. It is ridiculously arrogant of him to believe otherwise. He was more qualified than Mangini & Herm, but that isn't saying much.

[billo83]

It's not a conspiracy theory, just a question that begs an answer. If Rex came out and said he had Schottenheimer in his sights all along as his ideal OC, I'll accept it. You don't really believe that tripe do you, Billo. You seem to be at least somewhat functional. This is what your logical appraisal of the situation tells you? Or are you hook, line and sinker into the company line?

You want us to accept that Brian Schottenheimer was the coach Rex had in mind all those years when he was planning and honing his pitch to the NFL owner who would interview him? Again, Brian Schottenheimer??!! What the f**k has he done anyway? Nothing but come up with excuses for his abysmal play calling and the way his unit executed, especially during crunch time. Someday we'll get the real story. Probably after Schotty f**ks up another season for us and gets sh*t canned.

I would buy into this more if Rex had fired all of the other assistants and only retained Schot. But the fact is he retained several including Sutton, albeit not as DC. It would then be fair to question if the FO forced all of those guys to be retained. I just don't see Rex as the type of guy that would accept the job if he was told who to hire as his assistants. If so, my opinion of him would not be as high. As far as others he may have wanted, who's to say they are still available. Remember that Rex is a Defensive guy - his list of OC may not be as long or as accomplished as his list of defensive guys. Also, if Rex didn't want Schot as his OC, then why would he be gving him so much free reign?

Another thing about Schot - it's hard for me to believe he went from being such a great talent and being considered HC material, to a complete dud that many of you are saying in a couple of seasons. For something that drastic to happen, there must have been some mitigating factors. That is were Mangini comes in. Many have said he's a control freak, so it wouldn't surprise me if he was handcuffing Schot and micro managing everything he did.

That's why I think this season will be all telling. If you believe Rex, Schot will be given quite a bit of freedom to do what he wants. So mosty likely he will sink or swim by his own doing.

One final food for thought: It was obvious that the FO wanted Favre very badly. Isn't it fair to speculate that Schot was ordered to throw as much as he did last year?

[Borgoguy]

I would buy into this more if Rex had fired all of the other assistants and only retained Schot. But the fact is he retained several including Sutton, albeit not as DC. It would then be fair to question if the FO forced all of those guys to be retained. I just don't see Rex as the type of guy that would accept the job if he was told who to hire as his assistants. If so, my opinion of him would not be as high. As far as others he may have wanted, who's to say they are still available. Remember that Rex is a Defensive guy - his list of OC may not be as long or as accomplished as his list of defensive guys. Also, if Rex didn't want Schot as his OC, then why would he be gving him so much free reign?

Another thing about Schot - it's hard for me to believe he went from being such a great talent and being considered HC material, to a complete dud that many of you are saying in a couple of seasons. For something that drastic to happen, there must have been some mitigating factors. That is were Mangini comes in. Many have said he's a control freak, so it wouldn't surprise me if he was handcuffing Schot and micro managing everything he did.

That's why I think this season will be all telling. If you believe Rex, Schot will be given quite a bit of freedom to do what he wants. So mosty likely he will sink or swim by his own doing.

One final food for thought: It was obvious that the FO wanted Favre very badly. Isn't it fair to speculate that Schot was ordered to throw as much as he did last year?

I don't remember the poster, but he posted really damning statistics related to Schotty throwing the ball in running situations compared to other NFL OCs, etc. I'll try to search for it. Frankly, I don't know why he was considered such a great talent in the first place. Clearly, his track record with us is nothing exceptional, not even passable, IMO. After the last two years, I am in shock that he and Sutton are still on staff. I think you are correct that Rex will allow Schotty to sink or swim. Look, I want the guy to become an all world OC. I just don't believe he has the ability.

[billo83]

I don't remember the poster, but he posted really damning statistics related to Schotty throwing the ball in running situations compared to other NFL OCs, etc. I'll try to search for it. Frankly, I don't know why he was considered such a great talent in the first place. Clearly, his track record with us is nothing exceptional, not even passable, IMO. After the last two years, I am in shock that he and Sutton are still on staff. I think you are correct that Rex will allow Schotty to sink or swim. Look, I want the guy to become an all world OC. I just don't believe he has the ability.

That's why I'm saying I think this year will be tell all for him. Mangini is no longer here, and Favre isn't here to be forced fed on him. So there really are no excuses for him this year. Rex has clearly stated that he wants an offense that will pound the rock, and the line is good enough to do that.

[JMJ]

I don't remember the poster, but he posted really damning statistics related to Schotty throwing the ball in running situations compared to other NFL OCs, etc. I'll try to search for it. Frankly, I don't know why he was considered such a great talent in the first place. Clearly, his track record with us is nothing exceptional, not even passable, IMO. After the last two years, I am in shock that he and Sutton are still on staff. I think you are correct that Rex will allow Schotty to sink or swim. Look, I want the guy to become an all world OC. I just don't believe he has the ability.

That was me. Search my name and key words brees manning parker. You should find it like that. I'd do it myself but I'm posting on my blackberry.

I f0cking hate Schottenheimer.

[Borgoguy]

That was me. Search my name and key words brees manning parker. You should find it like that. I'd do it myself but I'm posting on my blackberry.

I f0cking hate Schottenheimer.

Thanks, JMJ. I just found your post in a POTW thread. Luckily, I did not have to disturb your vital Blackberry postings. As I said when you originally posted this piece, brilliant job. Go to post #79, Billo.

http://www.jetnation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69625&highlight=brees+manning+parker&page=8