Former Cleveland Browns head coach Marty Schottenheimer has been placed in hospice care as he battles Alzheimer’s disease. Schottenheimer’s family revealed the coach’s condition via a press release through ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.
Schottenheimer was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s back in 2014 and has remained out of the public eye since.
“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,” Pat Schottenheimer said in the release. “In the way he taught us all, we are putting one foot in front of the other … one play at a time.”
A message from the family of Marty Schottenheimer, updating his health condition. pic.twitter.com/FzQzpQVxaD
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) February 3, 2021
Schottenheimer coached in Cleveland from 1980 through 1988. His first five seasons were as defensive coordinator, which included taking over as the interim coach midway through the 1984 season. Schottenheimer stayed as the head coach for four full seasons afterward and the team thrived under his passionate instruction. His Browns went 44-27 and never finished with a losing record, twice advancing to the AFC Championship game.
He then moved onto the Kansas City Chiefs and later was the head coach in Washington and San Diego with the Chargers. He last coached the Virginia Destroyers of the now-defunct UFL in 2011.
Schottenheimer remained popular with fans long after he left Cleveland. He’s one of the sincerely nicest people I’ve ever encountered in covering pro football. Our prayers are with the Schottenheimer family for comfort.
