Bucs, Marty Schottenheimer to talk

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Marty Schottenheimer, whose last season in the NFL ended with his firing in 2007 after a 14-2 record in 2006 as coach of the San Diego Chargers, will interview Tuesday with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their head coaching vacancy, according to league sources.

Schottenheimer's career record is 200-126-1 during the regular season, but he has acknowledged his 5-13 postseason record has been a failure. In his final season as San Diego's coach, the Chargers suffered a second-round loss to the New England Patriots at home.

Schottenheimer returned to coaching with the Virginia Destroyers in the United Football League in 2011 and won the championship. At 68, he has expressed his "sustained hunger and love" to return to coaching. Hall of Famer Marv Levy enjoyed his success with the Buffalo Bills in the same age range.

Schottenheimer was fired by the Chargers because owner Dean Spanos said there was an irreparable relationship between the coach and general manager A.J. Smith. At the time, Schottenheimer expressed his frustration with Smith's refusal to work out their differences.

The Bucs' leading candidate has appeared to be former Packers coach Mike Sherman. The team is interviewing former Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress on Monday and will interview Houston Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips on Friday. Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray also is among the candidates.

Chris Mortensen is ESPN's senior NFL analyst.

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Chris Mortensen

NFL reporter

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• ESPN Senior NFL Analyst
• Joined ESPN in 1991
• Has covered every Super Bowl since 1979