FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Jets coach Rex Ryan sent a game ball to Marty Schottenheimer after last weekend's playoff upset of the San Diego Chargers, the team that fired the father of New York's offensive coordinator following a 14-2 regular season.
Brian Schottenheimer said he was touched when he learned of his boss' gesture Tuesday -- and joked that it didn't even occur to him to do it.
Marty Schottenheimer was fired in February 2007 after the Chargers lost their first playoff game despite having the NFL's best record that season. He had 35 wins and two AFC West titles in his last three seasons in San Diego, where his son was quarterbacks coach from 2002-05.
"It felt nice to pick up the phone after the game and talk to my father," Brian Schottenheimer said Thursday.
After Sunday's 17-14 win, the son has a chance to do something his famous father never did as a head coach: reach the Super Bowl. The Jets play Sunday in the AFC Championship Game at Indianapolis.
Marty Schottenheimer is coaching college players at the East-West Shrine Game in Orlando, Fla., this week.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press
