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Schottenheimer Has New Vacancy to Fill
The Chargers hired Clancy Barone as tight ends coach and Matt Simon as running backs coach.
Outside linebacker Shaun Phillips, who had a breakout season with 11 1-2 sacks in 2006, was sad to see Phillips go.
  Wade Phillips, right, takes the podium after being introduced as the new head coach of the Dallas Cowboys during a news conference at the Cowboys headquarters in Irving, Texas, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2007. (AP Photo/Ron Heflin) (Ron Heflin - AP)   The Indianapolis Colts overcome the rain and a sloppy start to beat the Chicago Bears, 29-17. The Colts' victory ignites a wild celebration among the white-and-blue attired fans in the sea of colorful vinyl rainwear that populated the soggy stands. Peyton Manning fills the final hole in his legend as the greatest quarterback never to win the biggest game. Leonard Shapiro: Tony Dungy and Manning seal their place in history by winning the Super Bowl. Manning adds a Super Bowl MVP award to his long list of achievements. Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes plow forward for the Colts go-ahead touchdown and never look back. There was a collective failure by the Bears' offense, but Rex Grossman provides the most vivid images. Notebook: Two assistant coaches who participated in the Super Bowl likely will interview for Dallas' head coaching job. On Our Site Wilbon and Kornheiser share their thoughts live during Sunday's big game. Photos: Relive all of the action from the NFL playoffs. Audio: Manning on the Win. Audio: Grossman on the Loss. Audio: Dungy Praises Smith. Quarterly Report (PDF) A Slew of Errors (PDF) Graphic: Play of the Game. MARK MASKE'S NFL INSIDER • Jaguars Tackle in Critical Condition • Lions Bolster Backfield With R. Johnson |
"Of course I'm upset because coach Wade brought the best out of us," Shaun Phillips said. "It hurts to see him leave. Not only is he a great coach, but he was a great man to look up to."
Wade Phillips, the son of former NFL head coach Bum Phillips, was hired following the 2003 season and revived the Chargers' punchless defense by installing the 3-4.
"We've got a 3-4 for a reason, to utilize our personnel," said Shaun Phillips, who became a starter after Steve Foley was shot by an off-duty police officer eight days before the season opener. Foley said last week that his career could be over.
"I wouldn't want to play for any other defensive coordinator," Shaun Phillips said. "But unfortunately this is the NFL and transactions happen. We've got to move forward."
Schottenheimer said he would interview current members of the defensive staff and possibly look outside.
Even as Schottenheimer waded into filling the vacancy, he was adamant that Phillips' scheme will stay.
"We will run the 3-4 defense," Schottenheimer said. "It doesn't matter who we bring in. Quite frankly, it's easier to have him run it than have all the players learn a new system. It's difficult to find four defensive linemen. It's a lot easier to find guys with size who can run."
