Marty Schottenheimer shows interest in Ravens
By Aaron Wilson, Times Staff Writer Saturday, January 12, 2008
OWINGS MILLS -- The Baltimore Ravens' interest in veteran coach Marty Schottenheimer is mutual, according to his agent.
Schottenheimer was contacted by the Ravens' search committee last week regarding their head-coaching vacancy and expressed a preference that he be involved toward the end of their interview process.
With the majority of their starters under contract for next season and being one year removed from winning the AFC North title, the Ravens' job is attractive to Schottenheimer.
"At this point, Marty has earned the right to be very selective in his criteria going forward," said agent Trace Armstrong, the former NFL defensive lineman that represents Schottenheimer. "He's still a football coach, he's still very passionate about the game and he still follows it very closely. The Ravens' job is an elite position.
"Marty's willing to evaluate every situation. I know the key for Marty is going to be the people part of the equation. No serious discussions have taken place with Baltimore yet, but he has talked with them. It's a great organization with great ownership and exceptional management. I'd say it's a strong possibility to keep in mind."
Schottenheimer, whose son, New York Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, interviewed Monday for the Ravens' opening created last week when team owner Steve Bisciotti fired coach Brian Billick, hasn't coached since being fired by the San Diego Chargers last year after losing a dysfunctional power struggle with general manager A.J. Smith.
Schottenheimer, 64, coached Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome during the Hall of Fame tight end's career with the Cleveland Browns.
"I have had a conversation with Marty, and he advised me of his plans," Newsome said Friday. "I'm abiding by that."
That close relationship with Newsome, who's leading the Ravens' search for a new coach following a 5-11 season that led to Billick and the entire staff's dismissal, could make it easier to foster a partnership on personnel issues. In San Diego, Schottenheimer had icy dealings with Smith and was fired despite a 14-2 campaign that ended with a playoff loss to the New England Patriots.
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