His agent says, “yes,” but Marty Schottenheimer says, “no.” At least for now. Schottenheimer, the former Cleveland Browns and San Diego Chargers coach, told the Miami Herald Saturday he is unlikely to return to the return to the NFL.
It was the second time in three weeks Schottenheimer ruled out another go-around in the league, which includes interviewing for the Ravens? head coaching position.
??In all likelihood, I?m not going to be back,?? Schottenheimer told the Herald.
The Ravens fired Brian Billick two weeks ago today and have interviewed six candidates, including Schottenheimer?s son Brian, the New York Jets offensive coordinator ? for the position. No interviews have been held since Tuesday.
Schottenheimer, 64 told the Herald said he was comfortable being a grandfather and enjoying life in North Carolina.
??I?m never going to say never,?? Schottenheimer said. “When I?m in a situation where I don?t have to make a decision, I won?t. But I have a full life right now.”
Schottenheimer?s agent, Trace Armstrong, was at the forefront of the movement to have his client mentioned in the Ravens? hunt this past weekend. Armstrong told several local publications his client had interest in coaching the Ravens, and would wait until the team?s late interviewing stages to meet with the team?s executives.
Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said he has spoken with Schottenheimer about coaching in Baltimore.
The two know each other well, as Schottenheimer coached Newsome during his Hall of Fame career with the Browns in the 1980s.
Newsome has been leading the Ravens search committee for Billick?s successor. Both Newsome and Kevin Byrne, the team?s senior vice president of public and community relations, worked with Schottenheimer during his eight-year stint in Cleveland as an assistant and head coach.
Newsome and Byrne remained with the franchise when it moved to Baltimore prior to the 1996 season.
This isn?t the first time Schottenheimer has been hesitant to come out of retirement after being fired by the Chargers after leading them a league-best 14-2 record last season.
In a Dec. 22 interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, he said: “It would have to be the right circumstance. I don?t think it?s very likely, to be honest with you.”
Schottenheimer is considered a safe choice for the Ravens, as all of the other candidates interviewed so far never have been a head coach in the NFL.
Schottenheimer did not coach this past season and some believe he was not happy with his unceremonious exit from the game.
He is 5-13 career in the playoffs, despite having 200-126-1 regular season record.
“I won?t say absolutely, ?No,? ” Schottenheimer told the Union-Tribune last month of a possible return. “That would make no sense to say that. But it?s unlikely.”
