Ex-Browns HC Marty Schottenheimer moved to hospice

Marty Schottenheimer, who was head coach of the Cleveland Browns for four-plus seasons in the 1980s, has been moved to a hospice facility near his home in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The move comes as Schottenheimer is dealing with complications Alzheimer’s disease, which he was diagnosed with in 2014.

The news was first reported by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, who shared a message from Schottenheimer’s family.

The message, according to ESPN, quotes Schottenheimer’s wife, Pat, and reads:

“Diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014, former NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer was moved to a hospice facility near his home in Charlotte, NC, on Saturday, January 30, where he is listed in stable condition following complications from his disease. The Schottenheimer family asks that you respect their privacy at this time.

“As a family we are surrounding him with love, and are soaking up the prayers and support from all those he impacted through his incredible life. In the way he taught us all, we are putting one foot in front of the other ... one play at a time.”

Schottenheimer played for the Buffalo Bills in the AFL from 1965 through 1968 before finishing his career with a two-year stint with the Boston Patriots.

He started his coaching career in 1974 as the linebackers coach with the Portland Storm of the WFL. He would move on to the New York Giants in the same role (1975 to 1977) and Detroit Lions (1978 and 1979) before joining head coach Sam Rutigliano’s coaching staff in Cleveland as defensive coordinator in 1980.

Rutigliano was fired midway through the 1984 season, and Schottenheimer was named head coach. His first full season in charge was in 1985, and he would go on to lead the Browns to the playoffs four consecutive years, which included two appearances in the AFC Championship Game.

Schottenheimer was not retained following the 1988 season after getting into a dispute with then-owner Art Modell and moved onto the Kansas City Chiefs, where he won 101 games over 10 seasons.

Schottenheimer also coached Washington for one season (2001) before closing out his NFL coaching career with a five-year run with the San Diego Chargers, where he went 14-2 in his final season in charge.

In 21 years as a head coach, Schottenheimer went 200-126-1 (the one time coming in his return to Cleveland in 1989), which is good enough to currently leave him at No. 8 all-time in wins.

Schottenheimer is more likely remembered, unfortunately, for having just a 5-13 record in the playoffs and never making a Super Bowl as a head coach.