The Green Bay Packers Tuesday named Kurt Schottenheimer to the coaching staff as a defensive backs coach. Head Coach Mike McCarthy made the announcement.
"I'm pleased to add Kurt Schottenheimer to our defensive staff," McCarthy said. "As a former coordinator, Kurt brings a great deal of experience to the staff, which will be important in the defensive backfield. His extensive knowledge of the game will serve the team well and I know he'll work well with Bob Sanders and Lionel Washington."
Schottenheimer, 56, joins the Packers from the St. Louis Rams, where he spent 2005 coaching the secondary. This is his second tenure with Green Bay, having previously served as the team's defensive backs coach for the 2004 campaign.
An NFL coaching veteran, Schottenheimer, has spent time with six teams since he entered the league in 1987. He served as defensive coordinator for Detroit (2002-03), Washington (2001) and Kansas City (1999-2000). Additionally for Kansas City, he coached both defensive backs (1995-98) and special teams (1989-94). His first position was with Cleveland (1987-88) as special teams coach.
While with the Rams last season, Schottenheimer successfully converted Mike Furrey from wide receiver to free safety. Under Schottenheimer's tutelage, Furrey led the team in interceptions with four (one returned for a TD) and recorded one fumble recovery.
His résumé of Pro Bowl players includes Kansas City's James Hasty and Dale Carter. During his time with the Chiefs, Schottenheimer enjoyed a stellar 1999 campaign. That year his defensive unit led the league with a franchise-record nine defensive touchdowns. A plus-21 turnover ratio also was a league-high number. The team finished second in takeaways (45), fumble recoveries (20) and points off turnovers (125).
Prior to breaking into the professional ranks, Schottenheimer worked 10 seasons as a college coach - William Patterson (1974), Michigan State (1978-82), Tulane (1983), Louisiana State (1984-85) and Notre Dame (1986).
Schottenheimer was a JUCO All-America quarterback at Coffeyville (Kan.) Junior College where he led the nation in passing as a sophomore in 1968. After shifting to defensive back, he started two seasons (1969-70) at the University of Miami where he earned his degree in 1971.
Married to Collen Duffey, the couple has two daughters, Steele and Sloane. He is the younger brother of San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer.
