So, who is Brian Schottenheimer?
Well, the obvious is that he's the son of Marty Schottenheimer so like Dallas' Jason Garrett and New England's Josh McDaniels (who has taken his name off coaching vacancy lists), Brian Schottenheimer (right) comes from a football family. His uncle, Kurt, is also a defensive assistant in Green Bay.
For starters, Brian Schottenheimer is another young offensive coordinator. He's the 34-year-old OC of the New York Jets (he has two years in that job), which off of this past season's performance is not necessarily a high recommendation. The Jets were No. 26 in total yards, No. 25 in points per game, No. 19 in rushing yards, No. 25 in passing yards. In every one of those categories, the Jets were behind the Ravens. And like the Ravens, the Jets had their problems at quarterback.
His offense had a slightly better 2006 when the Jets were a surprise in getting to the AFC playoffs. That season, the Jets were No. 25 in total yards but No. 18 in points per game (19.8), and he was credited with guiding Chad Pennington through a decent if unspectacular 16 games. Incidentally, the Jets trailed the Ravens in those categories in that season as well.
Before 2006, Schottenheimer had been working on his father's staff since 2001, first in Washington and for four seasons in San Diego -- and always as a quarterbacks coach.
He went to the University of Florida, where he was a backup to Danny Wuerffel. Once out of college, he had one-year gigs in St. Louis and Kansas City (working for his father) in the NFL and then at Syracuse and USC. At one point, his name was mentioned for the Miami Dolphins job that Cam Cameron got last year, but Schottenheimer took his name out of consideration.
The point has been made by The Sun's Ravens beat writer, Jamison Hensley, that Marty Schottenheimer coached the Ravens' general manager Ozzie Newsome when the current GM was a Hall of Fame tight end for the Cleveland Browns. So, there is a franchise connection. Marty Schottenheimer might also wind up being a candidate for the Ravens' coaching job. And if Marty were to be the new Ravens coach, son Brian may wind up as the offensive coordinator.
Photo credit: Ed Betz/Associated Press
Comments
25th and 26th in offense, huh? That would be a MAJOR improvement over Billick, but I think our sights should be set higher, don't you?
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I don't get the attraction of Brian Schottenheimer. Maybe within NFL circles he's well thought if but I'm not seeing where there's a lot you can point to here.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Former Sun Sportswriter | January 7, 2008 3:19 PM
Why are the Ravens even considering Brian Schottenheimer? The other candidates being considered have much better track records. Why not interview Homer Simpson too? I'm not necessarily saying Rex Ryan is the guy, but if I were Rex, I would be insulted. I think a younger coach is a great idea, but why not go after a candiate that has already proven himself?
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I don't get this one either. Brian Schottenheimer may turn out to be a sideline genius but right now the credentials don't seem to be there. And I think you're right, if the hire is someone like young Scottenheimer, Rex is out of here like a shot.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: jlyons | January 7, 2008 4:13 PM
Remember, though, you can't make a porterhouse steak out of hamburger. I'm not saying Brian is the guy for Baltimore, in fact I want Jim Caldwell or Sparano before anyone else, but the fact that he got ANY production from Kellen Clemens and Jerricho Cotchery, two projects that were a 20/80 pass/fail shot, is a testament that he is a decent coach.
Posted by: Matt | January 7, 2008 8:06 PM
The Raven front office has to be selective and cover every possible base.
The last thing that this organization wants (Steve (Bisciotti)) is to look like it is firing from the hip and hiring out of impulse.
As much as Brian Billick seems to be man that everyone loves to hate, if the Ravens Org. were to make a snap decission and hire a dud all of Raven loving Baltimore would be at Steve (Bisciotti's) door with torches and pitchforks crying out for his head on a platter. And in the echos of those cries you'd hear "bring back Billick!" Deny it if you like, but deep down you know its true.
My own theory is that Rex Ryan is and has always been the main target. He fits the profile that (Bisciotti) outlined in his news conference and most importantly he won't turn everything upside down. The voice of the Baltimore Ravens has always been its defense, to bring in another "offensive genius" puts the team right back from where it just came. Ryan has the respect of the players and probably ensures the return of Ogden for at least one more season.
All of the interviews and the press is nothing more than the Raven Org. going through the motions.
Posted by: blane | January 7, 2008 8:54 PM
Any chance that this is just a favor to Marty? Keep people thinking about Brian Schottenheimer for next year? I'm sure Ozzie would do that for his old coach. Plus listening to Charly Casserly before the game yesterday, he said teams will bring in coachs they have no plans on hiring just to get feedback on the players.
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Mike,
That's a reasonable point you make..
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Mike | January 7, 2008 11:28 PM
Its been reported that Marty will be interviewed for the head coaching job, but that he didnt want to be one of the round 1 guys.
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Yeah, I know we've been writing that ... is that a little like skipping the third grade.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Captain Jack | January 9, 2008 11:08 AM
I would hope that a coach with the track record and history that Marty has, would be allowed to skip the first round of interviews and end up on the short list. Round 1 interviews is the chance for them to bring in the new/unknown and get a chance to know them.
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I was just kidding. Certainly Ozzie knows Marty so it's not like they have to go through the intros although I don't know how well Cass and Bisciotti know Scottenheimer.
-- Bill O.
Posted by: Captain Jack | January 9, 2008 3:51 PM