Long-time NFL coach, former Patriots linebacker Marty Schottenheimer passes away at age 77

Long-time NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer has passed away, as first reported by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. The 77-year-old, who had battled Alzheimer’s Disease since 2014, died in his home on Monday.

The majority of NFL fans likely remembers Schottenheimer due to his coaching work. He led the Cleveland Browns (1984-88), Kansas City Chiefs (1989-98), Washington Football Team (2001) and then-San Diego Chargers (2002-06). Before turning his attention to coaching, however, he also spent seven seasons in the old American Football League — including with the Boston Patriots.

After four years with the Buffalo Bills, Schottenheimer arrived in Boston ahead of the 1969 season. He went on to play 23 games for the organization as a middle linebacker, registering an interception along the way.

Schottenheimer originally ended his career after the 1970 campaign, but in 1974 returned when he was hired by the Portland Storm of the now-defunct World Football League as a player-coach. The following year, he joined the New York Giants as linebackers coach and eventually found his way to Cleveland via the Detroit Lions.

From then on, Schottenheimer established himself as one of the better coaches in football. When he was fired from his final head coaching gig by the Chargers in 2007, he had 205 wins on his NFL career résumé to go alongside 139 losses and a tie.

Schottenheimer late returned with the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League, but in 2012 ended his career for good.