Only two days until Black Monday and the coaching carousel is in full swing, with rumors flying left and right. The Packers have already fired head coach Mike McCarthy, but some of his assistants status’ are still up in the air. At least one significant change is coming, as one of the Packers’ longtime trainers, Pepper Burruss, is retiring, notes Rob Demovsky of ESPN (Twitter link). Burruss was with the team for 22 years.
Demovsky also notes in a separate tweet that defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is unsure whether he’s being retained, but that as of now he’s planning on his usual after the season work. Meanwhile, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets that Pettine wants to be back, but that he’ll likely be let go if the Packers hire a defensive minded coach.
It all suggests Pettine has a chance to be back, which might be a surprise to some, but he’s highly respected within the building. Holdovers from fired coaches’ staffs aren’t that common, but they aren’t unheard of either. Jim Bob Cooter was retained as the Lions’ offensive coordinator after Jim Caldwell was fired last year, and there’s plenty of precedent. While the Packers have mostly been linked to offensive minded coaches to pair with Aaron Rodgers, they’ve been rumored to be interested in at least one defensive guru, Pat Fitzgerald.
The team does indeed plan to pursue the Northwestern coach for their head coaching vacancy, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Rapsheet notes that Fitzgerald “has shut down countless interview requests from the NFL in the past”, but the chance to coach a team like the Packers and Rodgers may change his mind.
Rapoport also writes that while interim coach Joe Philbin will receive an interview from team president Mark Murphy and GM Brian Gutekunst, “it would be a surprise if he received the full-time job.” Instead, the team is expected to “conduct a wide-ranging search with perhaps 10-12 candidates.” Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is another name that has come up frequently, and the team has already interviewed Chuck Pagano and Caldwell.
GB has needed a new training/strength & conditioning staff for years now. They always lead the league in injuries.
Wrong.
Fake news!
Maybe not leading the league but they are heavily affected by injuries year after year
They still seem to commit a penalty on 4 out of 5 kickoffs/punts AND those are the most common plays for injuries. Maybe a new Special Teams coach would help solve both.
when did Pat Fitzgerald become a “defensive guru”?
Not to mention he’s a man-child in the mold of PJ Fleck.
McDaniels comes in, keeps Pettine and makes Kingsbury his offensive coordinator.
Then crawfishes (backs out) two days later.
Instead, the team is expected to “conduct a wide-ranging search with perhaps 10-12 candidates.
The Bears used that approach a few years back and ended up with Marc Trestman. To me it indicates the front office has no idea what they are really looking for. Maybe the Packers will have better luck.
Hopefully the Packers do find someone like Trestman. It will set them back behind Detroit in the NFC North for the next few years.
Go Bears !!
Mark Murphy has already proven he is clueless when it comes to the football side of things. He know has to build ice-skating rinks and hotels, but not the important stuff. He’s also more concerned with being on the side of the kneeler’s than winning football games.
He is stupid enough to rehire Trestman.
Pagano and Caldwell. Why do The has been sleep coming up. Add “ Mike McCant Win McCarthy” to that list. Why not find someone that deserves a chance not a recycled that has proven they can’t win. All 3 had legit QB’s and didn’t win.