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Ailing Rams coach Martz to miss rest of season

Posted on: Monday, 24 October 2005, 21:05 CDT

NEW YORK (Reuters) - St Louis Rams coach Mike Martz will miss the rest of the season to aid his recovery from a bacterial infection of a heart value, the NFC West team announced on Monday.

Martz, who has already missed two games with the ailment, told a news conference in St Louis that he fully expected to be back coaching in 2006.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Martz said. "I love this place."

The 54-year-old was originally expected to return to coaching duties this season, but after his most recent check-up, he opted to miss the remainder of the campaign on the advice of doctors.

"I was a little stunned," Martz admitted. "But I know it's the right thing to do."

Martz has been diagnosed with endocarditis, an acute bacterial infection of a heart valve, an illness that he was admitted to hospital for on September 30.

He announced he had the illness to his team on October 5, telling them he had been ill for several weeks.

Martz has a 56-37 record and is in his sixth season as coach, leading the Rams to a Super Bowl loss in 2001, two years after he worked as an offensive coordinator on the team's only championship winning side.

He has one year remaining on his contract.

"Our number one concern is his health," Rams president John Shaw said. "He has a contract and we expect him to coach (next year)."

Assistant coach Joe Vitt has been leading the 3-4 Rams in Martz's absence and will continue in that role for the remainder of the season.

Source: REUTERS

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