Marty Schottenheimer, a longtime NFL coach, was transferred to a hospice near his home in Charlotte, NC on Saturday because of complications from Alzheimer’s disease, his family said in a statement on Wednesday given to ESPN .
Schottenheimer, 77, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2014, is listed in stable condition, according to the website.
“As a family, we are involving him in love,” said Schotteheimer’s wife, Pat, in a statement, also speaking on behalf of the couple’s children, Kristin and Brian, “and we are absorbing the prayers and support of all those through whom he impacted his incredible life. The way he taught us, we’re putting one foot in front of the other … one move at a time. “
Schottenheimer – an NFL coach for 21 seasons has never been able to win a Super Bowl – but he has compiled an impressive record of 205-139-1, including the playoffs, which are the biggest number of a coach’s eight wins of all time .
Schottenheimer, who coached the Browns, Chiefs, Washington and the Chargers, has led his teams to many successful regular seasons, but he only had a 5-13 record in the playoffs. He led three teams for the AFC Championship, but was never able to place any of those teams in the Super Bowl.
Schottenheimer – who was the NFL Coach of the Year in 2004 when he led the Chargers for a 12-4 mark – ended his coaching career in 2006. It was a painful ending note when he brought San Diego to a 14-2 mark and the best record in the NFL just to have his team drop to the New England Patriots in the divisional round.
Schottenheimer also played six seasons in the 1965-1970 NFL as a linebacker for the Bills and Patriots.
His son Brian is now following in his father’s footsteps as an NFL coach, recently reaching an agreement to become the coordinator of the Jaguars’ passing game, according to ESPN.