Packers to hire LaFleur (page 8), Hackett hired as OC (page 13)

[Point Beer Is Best]

Who's your pick?

 

Personally, I'd like to see the team retain Mike Pettine as DC and focus on an offensive specialist for HC.

 

The names that have been thrown out there are:

 

The Retreads

 

Bruce Arians - He has said he would only come out of retirement to coach the Browns, but I think he may have said that due to the unwritten rule among coaches that you never openly campaign for a job that currently isn't available. Now that the GB job is open, he may have interest.

 

Josh McDaniels - He will be a polarizing choice. Things went pretty poorly in Denver, and then what he did to the Colts last year probably takes him out of contention for a number of jobs. But his offensive scheme has remained fresh and kept Brady putting up big numbers into his 40's despite being strictly a pocket passer.

 

The College Guys

 

Lincoln Riley - This guy will get a ton of money to stay at OU. Another name is Kliff Kingsbury. But will a BIG-12 offense actually translate to success in the NFL?

 

Current Assistant Coaches

 

John DeFelippo (OC, Vikings) - The shine on this guy has really come off. Based on where the Eagles, Vikings, and Colts (yesterday notwithstanding) have looked offensively, I think Frank Reich may have been the offensive genius in the room. Zimmer hired him to run the offense, and has been increasingly critical of the playcalling of late. The criticism is that DeFelippo is trying to show too much creativity at times (to showcase himself for a HC gig) when they should be trying to run the ball more. While it might be fun to take a guy from a division rival, we might actually be doing them a favor.

 

Zac Taylor (QB coach, LA Rams) - 35 years old. This would be the "I hope this guy turns out to be the next Sean McVay" hire. This is the guy I'm rooting for.

 

Eric Bieniemy (OC, Chiefs) - This would be the "hiring Matt Nagy worked for the Bears, so let's try the same approach" hire.

 

 

Any other contenders you can think of? The more I read about Taylor, the more I like him. But will a guy who's the same age as Aaron Rodgers be able to reign him in?

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Just posted this in the Packers thread, but probably a better fit here. While its obviously still very early in the process, here are some names I'm hearing through the limited contacts I have:

 

1. Pete Charmichael Jr. - OC - Saints

2. Joe Lombardi - QB Coach - Saints

3. Mike Kafka - QB Coach - Chiefs

4. Josh McDaniels - OC - Patriots

5. Pat Fitzgerald - Head Coach - Northwestern University

6. Zac Taylor - QB Coach - Rams

7. Lincoln Riley - Head Coach - Oklahoma

8. Mike Groh - OC - Eagles

 

My main contact is very high on Mike Kafka, and considers him the early leader, if not a major darkhorse, for the job. Kafka is a former Northwestern QB, is extremely intelligent, and has gotten major accolades for his work with Patrick Mahomes. He is 31 years old, four years younger than his QB would be.

[Zad Fnark]

How about Rex?

[Point Beer Is Best]

Just posted this in the Packers thread, but probably a better fit here. While its obviously still very early in the process, here are some names I'm hearing through the limited contacts I have:

 

1. Pete Charmichael Jr. - OC - Saints

2. Joe Lombardi - QB Coach - Saints

3. Mike Kafka - QB Coach - Chiefs

4. Josh McDaniels - OC - Patriots

5. Pat Fitzgerald - Head Coach - Northwestern University

6. Zac Taylor - QB Coach - Rams

7. Lincoln Riley - Head Coach - Oklahoma

8. Mike Groh - OC - Eagles

 

My main contact is very high on Mike Kafka, and considers him the early leader, if not a major darkhorse, for the job. Kafka is a former Northwestern QB, is extremely intelligent, and has gotten major accolades for his work with Patrick Mahomes. He is 31 years old, four years younger than his QB would be.

 

Lombardi would be nostalgic, but then I quickly remember how bad he was as the OC for the Lions. It's a copycat league, and definitely see them looking at assistants for the Rams, Saints and Chiefs. Of course when they hired McCarthy, he was the OC for the 32nd ranked offense in the NFL that year.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

How about Rex?

 

Rex actually suggested on one of the morning shows this morning that Murphy should give him a call. That he'd love to see how many wins he could get with Rodgers as his QB.

 

Talk about infinity steps backward

[Zad Fnark]

We'd probably have blood feuds with the rest of the division after that.

 

It is frustrating. Going from a kickass Brewer season to this.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

We'd probably have blood feuds with the rest of the division after that.

 

It is frustrating. Going from a kickass Brewer season to this.

 

Who would have thought that the Brewers would prove to not only be the best squad this year, but also a model of consistency compared to the other teams in the state?

[FVBrewerFan]

I would prefer a HC with a defensive background, hire innovative OC that can focus exclusively on that. But I'm open minded. I really don't care if it's a re-tread, college coach, current OC, whatever. We don't know half of what they know about any of these candidates, so I just hope they get it right.

[Point Beer Is Best]

I would prefer a HC with a defensive background, hire innovative OC that can focus exclusively on that. But I'm open minded. I really don't care if it's a re-tread, college coach, current OC, whatever. We don't know half of what they know about any of these candidates, so I just hope they get it right.

 

The problem with that is, most teams will block an assistant coach from pursuing a promotion to a coordinator role (Packers blocked Tom Clements and Ben MacAdoo for years). Which likely eliminates anyone from the Saints, Chiefs or Rams from contention for the OC position. I'm also not crazy about installing a third defensive scheme in 3 years, since hiring a defensive-minded HC likely means the end for Mike Pettine.

[FVBrewerFan]

I would prefer a HC with a defensive background, hire innovative OC that can focus exclusively on that. But I'm open minded. I really don't care if it's a re-tread, college coach, current OC, whatever. We don't know half of what they know about any of these candidates, so I just hope they get it right.

 

The problem with that is, most teams will block an assistant coach from pursuing a promotion to a coordinator role (Packers blocked Tom Clements and Ben MacAdoo for years). Which likely eliminates anyone from the Saints, Chiefs or Rams from contention for the OC position. I'm also not crazy about installing a third defensive scheme in 3 years, since hiring a defensive-minded HC likely means the end for Mike Pettine.

 

I wouldn't mind having 3 defensive schemes in 3 years. I'm neutral on Petttine, the secondary is decimated and the defense still isn't horrible. But if the new HC wants to bring in a new DC, that's fine by me. Can't be afraid of change, and if the new HC wants a new DC, need to trust that decision.

 

Don't get me started on blocking coaching interviews, it's ridiculous. But you really need to take it one step at a time. Find the best/right HC, that's step one. If that happens to be a defensive coach, then yes, you eliminate some of those names you mentioned as OC. But you can't base your decision on HC based on who would/ wouldn't be available as OC. There are plenty of bright offensive minds out there.

[homer]

I really like Fitzgerald but I wonder if his rah rah thing would work in the NFL? His teams are always very solid and they have an innovative offense.

[Point Beer Is Best]

I really like Fitzgerald but I wonder if his rah rah thing would work in the NFL? His teams are always very solid and they have an innovative offense.

 

The other connection there is that Murphy was the AD at Northwestern who hired Fitzgerald. If he's truly in charge of the coaching hire (and not Gutey), Fitzgerald is all but guaranteed to get an interview.

[JosephC]

Only two things I'm hoping for in the next head coach.

 

#1 - Actually run some decent practices and develop a tougher approach. Just have read too many comments from various local writers stating things like, "well if you want to call what they do practice." I'm sure some of that has to do with the leagues limiting of pad use in practice. But over the last few years this team has looked more and more finesse and, quite frankly, soft.

 

#2 - Put at least a little emphasis on special teams play. I like poking fun of Ron Zook as much as anyone. But how many special teams coordinators did the Packers go through under McCarthy? And for the most part over the last decade-plus, the special teams play has been sub-par.

[MrTPlush]

They are a win now team with a 35 year old HOF QB. While I am not necessarily vouching for a retread I am not sure going with someone with zero head coaching experience is the safest route. Going with a QB coach etc. would be unchartered territory for said person.

[FVBrewerFan]

They are a win now team with a 35 year old HOF QB. While I am not necessarily vouching for a retread I am not sure going with someone with zero head coaching experience is the safest route. Going with a QB coach etc. would be unchartered territory for said person.

 

Holmgren and MM were QB coaches, and not safe picks- each won a SB rather quickly. I dismiss the "HC experience" qualification, there a lot of bright guys out there who would have no problem being a great HC from day one.

[homer]

O

 

#2 - Put at least a little emphasis on special teams play. I like poking fun of Ron Zook as much as anyone. But how many special teams coordinators did the Packers go through under McCarthy? And for the most part over the last decade-plus, the special teams play has been sub-par.

 

I wonder how much injuries plays into the bad special teams? This assumes the Packers have suffered more injuries the last 5 - 8 years than most teams and I don't know if that's the case. But if it is then you are continually putting new guys out there on special teams who are either cast offs from other teams or practice squad dudes.

[GAME05]

An offensive/QB-type HC makes the most sense to me. Pettine has done at least a decent job by all accounts and maybe GB wants to limit how much turnover they have, so a QB-type HC would be more inclined to keep him and not clash. Plus GB obviously prefers to keep head coaches around a long time, so a QB-oriented guy would not only help Rodgers but would get to mentor the third HOF QB we have in a row after Aaron.

[FVBrewerFan]

O

 

#2 - Put at least a little emphasis on special teams play. I like poking fun of Ron Zook as much as anyone. But how many special teams coordinators did the Packers go through under McCarthy? And for the most part over the last decade-plus, the special teams play has been sub-par.

 

I wonder how much injuries plays into the bad special teams? This assumes the Packers have suffered more injuries the last 5 - 8 years than most teams and I don't know if that's the case. But if it is then you are continually putting new guys out there on special teams who are either cast offs from other teams or practice squad dudes.

 

It's a big part of it. The last 3-4 spots on the game day roster change every week. Mostly due to injuries. So yea, the ST units change constantly every week. Then you add the fact practices are so limited now, this is what you get.

 

That said, the biggest issues on ST haven't had anything to do with those things. Crosby's missed FG, Williams fumbled punt return, Montgomery taking it out of the end zone, then fumbling. Those are all vets making mistakes. But yea, the week to week failure to down the ball inside the 20, holding penalties, offsides, etc. largely due to new guys coming on and off ST every week with little practive time.

[PeaveyFury]

They are a win now team with a 35 year old HOF QB. While I am not necessarily vouching for a retread I am not sure going with someone with zero head coaching experience is the safest route. Going with a QB coach etc. would be unchartered territory for said person.

 

Holmgren and MM were QB coaches, and not safe picks- each won a SB rather quickly. I dismiss the "HC experience" qualification, there a lot of bright guys out there who would have no problem being a great HC from day one.

 

Both Holmgren and MM were QB coaches, but both were OC's immediately prior to becoming Head Coaches.

[SeaBass]

I'm wary of college hires. Maybe if this franchise were on the edge of a true reboot I'd be ok with giving one a try, but with Rodgers here it's not my preference. Not saying it can't work though.

 

I like McDaniels. He has some prior HC experience and while he wasn't successful with Denver not all guys are their 1st time. Belichick himself is one. There is some thought out there that coaching Rodgers could be an intimidating challenge for the next coach. I think McDaniels would be up to the task. Being able to say he coached Tom Brady (McDaniels is listed as the OC & QBs coach for the Patriots) is a nice thing to have on his resume. Everyone knows Brady can get a little fiery when he thinks things aren't going the way they should be. We also know he is an OC that calls his own plays and runs his own offense and has won Super Bowls doing so.

[PeaveyFury]

Matt LaFleur, Dan Campbell (or much of the New Orleans offensive staff), Kafka, and McDaniels would be of interest to me. I agree with SeaBass that I'm wary of the college guys as well.

 

Honest question, with high-profile, high-success college guys like Saban, Spurrier, and Chip Kelly flopping in the NFL, who is the last college guy to come in and succeed in the NFL? Jim Harbaugh?

[bjkrautk]

Matt LaFleur, Dan Campbell (or much of the New Orleans offensive staff), Kafka, and McDaniels would be of interest to me. I agree with SeaBass that I'm wary of the college guys as well.

 

Honest question, with high-profile, high-success college guys like Saban, Spurrier, and Chip Kelly flopping in the NFL, who is the last college guy to come in and succeed in the NFL? Jim Harbaugh?

 

Do we count Pete Carroll, since he was Head Coach at USC for 8 years, or is he an NFL guy because Seattle was his 3rd NFL head coaching gig?

[FVBrewerFan]

Honest question, with high-profile, high-success college guys like Saban, Spurrier, and Chip Kelly flopping in the NFL, who is the last college guy to come in and succeed in the NFL? Jim Harbaugh?

 

 

Extremely small sample size. If there's a candidate who checks all the boxes and seems like the right coach at the right time, then it's a really bad idea to dismiss him just because a couple other have failed. Far more coaches with NFL HC experience have failed than college coaches.

 

People used to say the same thing in the NBA until Brad Stevens came along.

[MrTPlush]

Not sure if it would be typical in such a situation, but Rodgers really should be involved in the hiring process. I know a lot of people would groan at the thought and think that is ridiculous, but he has to work with said person. To be incredibly successful they really need to mesh and excel working together. Probably should make sure the philosophy is going to work with the QB.

[pacopete4]

I think you can see if the philosophy fits with a QB without having them be a part of the hiring process. That would be a really bad precedent to set and an even worse look for Rodgers than he already looks like right now.