[Senator7]

Here are the candidates being considered to replace Mike Sherman as coach of the Green Bay Packers.

From The Green Bay Press Gazette

Sean Payton

Age: 42

Current job: assistant head coach/passing game coordinator, Dallas Cowboys.

Coaching background: Dallas Cowboys assistant head coach/quarterbacks 2003-04; New York Giants offensive coordinator 2000-2002; New York Giants quarterbacks coach 1999; Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach 1997-98; University of Illinois quarterbacks coach 1996; Miami (Ohio) University quarterbacks coach/co-offensive coordinator 1994-95; Indiana State assistant coach 1990-91; San Diego State assistant coach 1988-89, 1992-93.

Comment: Former quarterback at Eastern Illinois, as well as the Arena Football League, Canadian Football League and in the NFL's 1987 strike season with Chicago. Respected young offensive mind who has a reputation for working well with quarterbacks, including Drew Bledsoe with Dallas last year. Is a protege of Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden and Dallas coach Bill Parcells. Worked with Gruden as a quarterbacks coach in Philadelphia in 1997, and for Parcells the past three years. Also has had a preliminary interview with New Orleans.

Maurice Carthon

Age: 44

Current job: offensive coordinator, Cleveland Browns.

Coaching background: Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator/running backs coach 2003-04; Detroit Lions offensive coordinator 2002; Detroit Lions running backs coach 2001; New York Jets assistant head coach/running backs coach 2000; New York Jets running backs coach 1997-99; New England Patriots running backs coach 1995-96; New England Patiots offensive assistant 1994.

Comment: Former fullback for the New York Giants (1985-91) who's spent most of his playing and coaching career working for Bill Parcells, and who brings a Parcells-like personality to his work. Good motivator who gets on players when others won't. Never called plays until this season with Cleveland, and his abilities in that area remain suspect. The Browns were in full-blown rebuilding mode this year and finished 26th in yards and last in points in the NFL. Also has interviewed with Detroit and will meet with New Orleans next week.

Ron Rivera

Age: 44

Current job: defensive coordinator, Chicago Bears (2004 to present).

Coaching background: Philadelphia Eagles linebackers coach 1999-2003; Chicago Bears defensive quality control 1997-98.

Comment: Was a second-round draft choice by the Bears in 1984 and played nine seasons, through 1992. Has worked for two highly regarded defensive coaches, Jim Johnson in Philadelphia and Lovie Smith in Chicago. In five seasons in Philadelphia, was exposed to the Ron Wolf-Mike Holmgren organizational style that Eagles coach Andy Reid adopted from his time with the Packers. Considered a fiery, hard-nosed leader who relates well to players because of his long playing career. Interviewed with St. Louis, and New Orleans and Oakland have interest.

Mike McCarthy

Age: 42

Current job: offensive coordinator, San Francisco 49ers.

Coaching background: New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator 2000-04; Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach 1999; Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator 1995-98; Kansas City Chiefs offensive assistant 1993-94; University of Pittsburgh receivers coach 1992; University of Pittsburgh quarterbacks coach 1989-91; Fort Hays State (Kan.) graduate assistant 1987-88.

Comment: A former quarterbacks coach with a strong personality who appeared to have a good relationship with Brett Favre in his one season coaching the Packers' quarterbacks. Runs a West Coast-type offense. Had mixed success with the erratic Aaron Brooks in New Orleans. Brooks had one strong season with an 88.8 passer rating in 2003, but was 80.1 points or lower in his other three full seasons as a starter under McCarthy. This year with a new coordinator, Brooks plummeted to 70.0 points.

Wade Phillips

Age: 58

Current job: defensive coordinator, San Diego 49ers (2004-05).

Coaching background: Atlanta Falcons interim head coach 2003; Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator 2002-03; Buffalo Bills head coach 1998-2000; Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator 1995-97; Denver Broncos head coach 1989-92; Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator 1986-88; New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator 1981-85; Houston Oilers defensive line coach 1977-80; Houston Oilers linebackers coach 1976; University of Kansas defensive line coach 1975; Oklahoma State University linebackers coach 1973-74; Orange (Texas) High School defensive coordinator 1970-72; University of Houston graduate assistant 1969.

Comment: Well respected NFL defensive coordinator who's been in the league for 29 seasons, including five as a head coach. Went 29-19 as Buffalo's coach and made the playoffs twice but was ousted in the first round each time. Went 16-16 as successor to former Denver coach Dan Reeves. Also was 2-1 as Atlanta's interim coach after Reeves was fired there in 2003. Was GM Ted Thompson's position coach with Houston in 1976, and his father, former Oilers head coach Bum Phillips, is a longtime friend of Thompson's.

Russ Grimm

Age: 46

Current job: assistant head coach/offensive line coach, Pittsburgh Steelers (2004-05).

Coaching background: Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach 2001-03; Washington Redskins offensive line coach 1997-2000; Washington Redskins tight ends coach 1992-96.

Comment: Started at guard for Washington from 1981-91, played in four Pro Bowls, four Super Bowls, was voted first-team all-1980s, and in 2005 was one of 10 finalists in voting for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Known for a hard, no-nonsense approach to playing and coaching, would bring discipline, toughness and a big personality. Played and coached for Joe Gibbs in Washington, and has worked the past five seasons for Bill Cowher in Pittsburgh. Is expected to interview with Detroit.

Tim Lewis

Age: 44

Current job: defensive coordinator, New York Giants (2004-05).

Coaching background: Pittsburgh Steelers defensive coordinator 2000-03; Pittsburgh Steelers secondary coach 1995-99; University of Pittsburgh secondary coach 1993-94; Southern Methodist University secondary coach 1989-92; Texas A&M graduate assistant 1987-88.

Comment: Former Packers cornerback was a first-round draft pick (11th overall) in 1983 whose career ended in the third game of 1986 because of a neck injury. Spent much of his coaching career working for Dick LeBeau with the Steelers, though Lewis runs a 4-3 defense with the Giants, not the 3-4 LeBeau deploys. The Giants finished 24th in yards allowed and 14th in points allowed this season and were 13th and 17th, respectively, in those categories last year. His 2001 Steelers defense finished first in the league in yards allowed, and ranked seventh in 2000, seventh in 2002 and ninth in 2003. St. Louis is among the teams reportedly interested in him.

Jim Bates

Age: 58

Current job: defensive coordinator, Green Bay Packers.

Coaching background: Miami Dolphins interim head coach 2004; Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator 2000-04; Dallas Cowboys defensive line coach 1998-99; Dallas Cowboys linebackers coach 1996-97; Cleveland Browns secondary coach 1995; Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator 1994; Cleveland Browns defensive ends 1992-93; Cleveland Browns linebackers coach 1991; University of Florida defensive coordinator/secondary coach 1990; University of Tennessee linebackers coach 1989; Detroit Drive (Arena League) assistant coach 1988; Arizona Outlaws (USFL) defensive coordinator 1986; San Antonio Gunslingers (USFL) head coach 1985; San Antonio Gunslingers (USFL) defensive coordinator 1984; Texas Tech defensive coordinator 1980-83; Texas Tech secondary coach 1978-79; West Virginia secondary coach 1977; Kansas State linebackers coach 1975-76; Villanova linebackers coach 1974; Villanova offensive line 1973; Southern Mississippi freshman coach 1972; University of Tennessee graduate assistant 1968.

Comment: Highly respected, high-energy defensive coordinator who has coached every defensive position group in the NFL. After five successful seasons running Miami's defense, helped the Packers' defense jump from 25th in yards allowed and 23rd in points allowed in 2004 to seventh and tied for 19th, respectively. Has developed his defensive scheme based on the Jimmy Johnson-Dallas Cowboys defenses of the mid-1990s. Emphasizes lining up smaller defensive ends wide on every down and having small, quick linebackers making tackles from sideline to sideline.


Is anyone else surprised that Mariucci didn't even make the interview list? The new Vikings coach, Brad Childress, would have made this list, but the Vikes front office wisely wouldn't let him leave Minnesota. Of the guys on this list, who do you think would be the best fit in Green Bay and why?

[slacker00]

With Ted Thompson making personel decisions, it really doesn't matter who's coaching Green Bay next year. This franchise is in a tailspin with no hope right now, and IMO, it all points to the front office.

I like Bates, but if he's willing to stay and manage the defense, I'd like to get an offensive-minded coach to compliment Bates' defense. Mike McCarthy might be a good option that could be a good quick-fix fit with Favre returning next season (my prediction). I'm not sold on Sean Payton, and the others don't seem to have a whole lot of experience.

But if Mike McCarthy is the best option, giving my very brief analysis, it'll be certain that Thompson will choose the exact opposite of that option. Thus, Thompson will probably pick someone like Wade Phillips, a retread never-was.

[bigboydan]

Sean Payton should be considered for this job.

he's a great offensive minded coach, with a great resume. this guy has coached under a couple of the best football minds out there.

[Illusion]

From what I am hearing Ron Rivera is one of the leading candidates.

[Senator7]

Packers to hire 49ers' McCarthy as coach

By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com

The Green Bay Packers will fill their head coach vacancy with a former Brett Favre tutor, but not the one some people close to the quarterback had suggested might perhaps make an apt replacement for the deposed Mike Sherman.

Packers general manager Ted Thompson has chosen San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy to be the team's new coach, with an official announcement likely later this week. The two sides must still negotiate a contract, but there aren't expected to be any major sticking points in those discussions.

The job offer to McCarthy, one of seven candidates that Thompson interviewed, was confirmed to ESPN.com on Wednesday evening by NFL sources and also reported by ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

McCarthy, 42, served as the Packers' quarterbacks coach in 1999, working with Favre. Last week, Favre's agent, James "Bus" Cook, suggested his client might more likely to return to the team in 2006 if Green Bay hired Steve Mariucci, a former Packers assistant who was later the head coach in San Francisco (1997-2002) and Detroit (2003-2005).

Since leaving the Packers to become offensive coordinator of New Orleans Saints in 2000, McCarthy has maintained a relationship with Favre. It is not believed, however, that played a significant part in Thompson's decision to offer McCarthy the job.

Regarded league-wide as a very creative offensive mind, McCarthy is also known for his communication skills and ability to develop a quick rapport with his players.

The Pittsburgh native entered the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1993 and served as an offensive assistant and then quarterbacks coach for six seasons before going to Green Bay in 1999. He was named the Saints' offensive coordinator in 2000 and helped then-coach Jim Haslett lead New Orleans to a division title that season. In 2005, McCarthy was hired by first-year 49ers coach Mike Nolan as offensive coordinator.

As a college coach, McCarthy served on staffs at Fort Hays State (1987-88) and the University of Pittsburgh (1989-92).

Among the quarterbacks with whom McCarthy has worked at the college and pro levels are Joe Montana, Rich Gannon, Elvis Grbac, Alex Van Pelt, Jake Delhomme, Jeff Blake, Matt Hasselbeck, Marc Bulger and Aaron Brooks.

Also interviewed for the Packers position were defensive coordinators Wade Phillips (San Diego), Ron Rivera (Chicago), Tim Lewis (New York Giants) and Jim Bates (Green Bay) and offensive coordinators Maurice Carthon (Cleveland) and Sean Payton (Dallas). Thompson had arranged to interview Pittsburgh offensive line coach Russ Grimm later this week.

Sherman was dismissed the day after the season ended, after compiling a 59-43 mark in six seasons.

[clonecat]

I hope they treated Bates with respect and can keep him. I don't agree with the pick, but atleast they won't change the offense too drastically. Seems as though Thompson picked somebody he could blame when he wastes all the draft picks again this year. No matter how good McCarthy is, I don't think he can change Aaron Rodgers into a quarterback.

I cringe to even ask, but if Vince Young slips to #5, will the Pack take him?

[Senator7]

Bates has already said that he was gone if he didn't get the head coaching job. They won't keep him. Maybe Ted Cotrell as defensive coordinator?

If they were going to go this route (offensive acumen with QB success), I would rather have seen Sean Payton. Favre will probably stick around because he and McCarthy are friends. If anybody can turn Rodgers into a QB, its McCarthy.

I don't know what possessed them to take the offensive coordinator from one of the league's worst teams. Fans in Green Bay are going to be irate because most of them wanted Bates or Mariucci.

[Illusion]

Wow, I didn't see this one coming.

[isetcap]

Just laughable. Get used to mediocrity Packers fans. It will define your team throughout this decade and the next.

[Illusion]

Just laughable. Get used to mediocrity Packers fans. It will define your team throughout this decade and the next.

I doubt that with the parody in this league.

[isetcap]

The league has parity and the Packers are a parody.

[Illusion]

The league has parity and the Packers are a parody.

Where's that spellchecker guy when you need him.

[ChrisV]

Dudes lay off...San Fran was an offensive juggernaut last year ;p

[slacker00]

Hmmm, I call out Ted Thompson, and he does what I recommend. Let's see...

Thompson should now do whatever is necessary to retain Bates as a defensive coordinator. I can understand if Bates tried to use some leverage to become head coach, and he deserves a head coaching job in the NFL, but I think he might still be a year or two away. Thompson needs to try to mend fences ASAP and retain Bates. Give him a raise and complete control over the defense or something. I don't know. Just make it happen.

[isetcap]

Where's that spellchecker guy when you need him.

I think you did that on purpose! Nice setup though...