In 2002, Brian Schottenheimer was hired as the San Diego Chargers' QB coach when his father, Marty, was the head coach. It's not uncommon to have father-son duos or other familial relationships on the staff. But it's not something all players are very appreciative of.Drew Brees, whom Brian got to coach, was one such player.
Schottenheimer recalled the story of how they first met each other on theTwins Take Podcast. He introduced himself as the quarterback's coach and thought it was all good. However, he did not know Brees' true feelings until later.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
"Unbeknownst to me … he was complaining," Schottenheimer said. "He was like, 'Man, talk about nepotism. We're getting Marty's kid. This guy probably doesn't know a damn thing about football.'… Like, this is terrible.
"After I won Drew over and got to know him a little bit, I'm like 'Really, man? You thought [of me that way?" He was like, 'Yeah. Yeah. I didn't know. I didn't know.'"
NFL, American Football Herren, USA 2018: Saints vs Bengals NOV 11 November 11th, 2018: New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees 9 enters the field before a game between the New Orleans Saints and the Cincinnati Bengals on November 11, 2018 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. Adam Lacy/CSM. Cincinnati Ohio USA EDITORIAL USE ONLY Copyright: xx ZUMA-20181111_zaf_c04_005.jpg AdamxLacyx csmphototwo459354
Schottenheimer began coaching only five years before the Chargers' job. Before San Diego, he had been the quarterbacks coach only once, for theWashington Redskins. This was also a one-year stint.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
It was understandable why Brees was frustrated. Brian getting a job with the Chargers must have been made possible because of Marty Schottenheimer's presence as head coach. However, Brian worked hard to ditch the nepotism allegations, lasting until 2005 as the QBs coach for the Chargers.
And in that span, Brees also created a name for himself, having thrown for more than 3,000 yards in the four seasons Brian coached him. However, Brees' career reached an important crossroads after the 2005 season, as his contract was not renewed. He signed with theNew Orleans Saintsin 2006, and the rest is history. However, things are much better between Schottenheimer and Brees.
"We're the godparents to his middle son, so that tells you the kind of impact and relationship that we've had," Gemmi Schottenheimer said on the podcast. "We're extremely close to the Brees family, lifelong friends."
Technically, evenDrew Brees is not immune to allegations of nepotism. Years ago, he questioned whether Brian Schottenheimer got his coaching job because of his famous father. Now, Brees' own son, Baylen Brees, is drawing attention as a varsity wide receiver at Santa Fe Christian High School. Some people believe Baylen has an advantage because he is coached by and learns from his father.
