Mike McCarthy

The Assassin · Post by **The Assassin** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 5:03 am

What say you Packer fan? Happy with this possible hire? Looking at the Whiner offense last year I can't help but wonder how he got considered for any job openings let alone the Pack. where is our resident "expert" m2 at? Give us some insight on this guy.

Packers to hire 49ers' McCarthy as coachBy 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.

frodo_biguns · Post by **frodo_biguns** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:25 am

I'm laughing all the way! They got Mike Tice Mini!

Shoalzie · Post by **Shoalzie** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:42 am

I was thinking Jim Bates was bound to get that job. So of the three coaches in the division, two will have no game experience and Lovie is only in his second season now. Depending on who the Lions choose, this entire division could collectively have least amount of coaching experience in the league. If Ron Rivera gets picked up by someone, we'll see how good that defense in Chicago will be next year.

Cicero · Post by **Cicero** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:34 pm

I dont quite understand the hire. He might be a creative offensive genius, but so is Mike Martz and Norv Turner. I would have gone after Carthon, Saunders or Mooch instead.

M2 · Post by M2 » Thu Jan 12, 2006 5:47 pm

Thank you! Green Bay...

now enjoy the creativity of run, run, pass, and punt.

I feel bad for AR.

m2

ElvisMonster · Post by **ElvisMonster** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:13 pm

I was hoping we'd promote Bates and bring Mooch in for the OC position. But I'll go on ahead and assume that Thompson knows more about football than I do and keep my mouth shut until I see what he does on the sidelines.

Cicero · Post by **Cicero** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:17 pm

ElvisMonster wrote:I was hoping we'd promote Bates and bring Mooch in for the OC position. But I'll go on ahead and assume that Thompson knows more about football than I do and keep my mouth shut until I see what he does on the sidelines.

Where's the fun in that?

ElvisMonster · Post by **ElvisMonster** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 6:23 pm

So you guys don't run me for being a weepy bitch.

frodo_biguns · Post by **frodo_biguns** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:09 pm

Shoalzie wrote:I was thinking Jim Bates was bound to get that job. So of the three coaches in the division, two will have no game experience and Lovie is only in his second season now. Depending on who the Lions choose, this entire division could collectively have least amount of coaching experience in the league. If Ron Rivera gets picked up by someone, we'll see how good that defense in Chicago will be next year.

That's what all the rage was here on the sports talk show and even Mark Belling. They all wanted and thought Bates deserved the job. Many are stunned because they thought Bates was brought here by Ted Tompson in the first place, not Mike Sherman.

frodo_biguns · Post by **frodo_biguns** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:09 pm

m2 wrote:Thank you! Green Bay...

now enjoy the creativity of run, run, pass, and punt.

I feel bad for AR.

m2

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe the Pack can get Kevin Barlow in the package too.