26 Facts About Mike Martz

Michael Martz was born on May 13,1951 and is an American football coach.

In 1992, Mike Martz was hired as quarterback coach for the Los Angeles Rams and held that post through 1994.

Mike Martz left the Rams in 1997 to become quarterback coach at the Washington Redskins and helped develop Trent Green, who signed to be Rams QB in 1999, the season Mike Martz was hired to be the offensive coordinator.

Vermeil retired on February 2,2000, and Mike Martz was promoted to the head coaching position that same day.

Mike Martz was questioned for sticking with a passing attack despite New England sending in extra defensive backs for plays that had them "latch on to the receivers and hang on"; star running back Marshall Faulk ran for just 17 carries for 76 yards while Warner threw two interceptions.

Rather than go for the win in regulation, Mike Martz made the controversial decision to run out the clock and settle for a game-tying field goal and overtime.

On October 10,2005, Mike Martz took a leave of absence from the Rams to treat a persistent bacterial infection in his heart.

Mike Martz told the Rams that after being examined and evaluated by his treating physician, his illness would prevent him from performing his duties.

Mike Martz immediately announced that he would miss the rest of the season.

Mike Martz allegedly had several conflicts with the Rams' front office over the years, which reportedly came to a climax in 2005, as well.

Mike Martz was given medical clearance to coach the Rams' last regular season game, on New Year's Day, 2006; however, management refused to let him do so, and fired him the day after that game.

Mike Martz interviewed for head coaching vacancies in Oakland and New Orleans.

In 2007, expectations were high despite the previous year's disaster, and it appeared Mike Martz's system was actually beginning to work.

On January 8,2008, Mike Martz signed a two-year deal to become the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, who hoped that a fourth offensive coordinator in four years could re-energize the offense.

Mike Martz was let go as offensive coordinator after the 49ers named Singletary head coach.

Singletary reportedly wanted more of a ball-control, run-oriented offense than Mike Martz is known for crafting.

On February 1,2010, Mike Martz was hired by the Chicago Bears as their offensive coordinator.

Mike Martz was known for aggressive play-calling, and the calls for a pass-happy offense led to quarterback Jay Cutler getting repeatedly sacked.

On January 3,2012, Mike Martz resigned his position with the Bears.

Mike Martz reportedly departed over philosophical differences with Bears head coach Lovie Smith.

Mike Martz interviewed for the Cleveland Browns' offensive coordinator position after the 2014 season, but did not get the job.

From 2015 to 2018, Mike Martz served as the head coach of the National Team for the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl, which features some of the nation's top draft-eligible players.

Mike Martz's team won in each of his four appearances as head coach.

The Alliance of American Football named Martz the head coach of the San Diego Fleet in 2018, making Martz the first person to coach a professional football team in the city of San Diego since Mike McCoy coached the Chargers' last season there in 2016.

Mike Martz married his James Madison High School sweetheart Julie in 1971.

Mike Martz was portrayed by actor Chance Kelly in the 2021 film American Underdog about Kurt Warner, who played quarterback for Mike Martz between 1999 and 2003.