I'm going to make a ridiculous prediction about who will be the next coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers: Marty Schottenheimer.
Ok, so it's not really a prediction (I wouldn't be so stupid). But, there is a chance Marty will be kicked to the curb if the Chargers lose to the Patriots this weekend. How likely is it that he gets fired if they lose? I don't know, probably not even 50/50, but, it's possible. Owner AJ Smith loves Wade Phillips, and offensive coordinator Cam Cameron deserves a lot of the credit for the Chargers' less conservative, and more explosive offense the past 3 years. It should also be noted that Smith is the one who forced Brees out of town so Rivers could get a shot. Schottenheimer wasn't happy with the decision, and said as much publically. Despite the initial protestations, the move has worked. Brees happens to be having a career year, but Rivers has been pretty damn good himself.
Let's say he does get fired--would it be in our best interest to make a run at him? Probably. He's a proven winner, time after time, even if his long tenure of success has not carried over to the playoffs. He's one of 5 coaches in NFL history with 200 wins, yet he's more clearly associated with his abysmal 5-12 playoff record.
I'm not sure who I'd feel about him coaching our Steelers. On the one hand, he wins games, his teams rarely have prolonged mental lapses throughout the course of the season, and you rarely hear of too much extra curicular behavior from the players he coaches...ahem Marvin Lewis.
But, perhaps most importantly, he never abandons his running game, something I thought we did too much of this year. On the other hand, it's Marty. Do we really want a guy who's best known for choking in the big one? The Peyton Manning of coaches?
I dunno, let's talk about it.
Of course, this is all a moot point if the Chargers win this weekend, and it still might be a moot point, depending on what Mr. Smith decides.