Matt LaFleur did not have final say on hiring assistants

RailBird

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LaFleur wasn’t the sole decision-maker when it came to hiring assistant coaches, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.


Packers coach Matt LaFleur has put together a coaching staff in Green Bay, but it may not have been exactly the staff he would have hired if it had all been up to him.
LaFleur wasn’t the sole decision-maker when it came to hiring assistant coaches, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
That detail comes in a long story that is heavy on anonymous sources and short on direct quotes, but paints a picture of burgeoning dysfunction in the Packers’ front office, where LaFleur, General Manager Brian Gutekunst and director of football operations Russ Ball are all vying for authority under Packers President/CEO Mark Murphy.
The story hints at several issues in Green Bay, but the issue with assistant coaches is particularly noteworthy, because sources contradict the claim from Murphy that “Matt was allowed to make his own decisions.”
Instead, LaFleur reportedly tried to get Darren Rizzi as his special teams coach but was unable to land him because the Packers low-balled him on a contract. Rizzi, who had an excellent reputation from his years with the Dolphins, was one of the most highly sought assistant coaches in the NFL this offseason and eventually signed a three-year, $4.5 million contract to coach the Saints’ special teams. Instead, the Packers hired Shawn Mennenga as their special teams coach.
Mennenga doesn’t have as strong a résumé as Rizzi, and according to the report wasn’t even LaFleur’s second choice after Rizzi. But Mennenga has previously worked for Mike Pettine, who was retained as the Packers’ defensive coordinator. The report says LaFleur was “strongly encouraged” to keep Pettine as the defensive coordinator.
The report portrays Murphy as getting more involved in football decisions than he did in the previous regime in Green Bay, when General Manager Ted Thompson had authority over personnel moves and head coach Mike McCarthy chose his own staff. Which could mean that if the Packers don’t get better under LaFleur, it would be Murphy on the hot seat.
 
i hate stories built upon anonymous sources, and i'm beginning to lose trust in silverstein. but if true - and that's a big if - then the packers organizational structure is completely whacko. what's the point in making someone a head coach if he can't even choose his own staff?
 
You can say "disgruntled ex player/employee/bad source" etc.. for so long before the smoke becomes too thick to ignore. Too many stories like this to merely dismiss it.

This just is more evidence that the BOD probably came down hard on Murphy when it became clear he was ignoring football side of things. Now he's panicking and overcompensating. Not going to end well.

I just hope it doesn't cost them a good young HC. Murphy is more easily replaceable than ML.
 
I am not sure the BOD was involved. Titletown is considered a success, revenue is up, seats are full and the bank account is flush with cash. Murphy has been anointed the power to oversee the franchise from top to bottom with underling Russ Ball as his right had man.
 
Ball is Murphy's trusted wing man. At the top, you need someone that serves that purpose.
 
You can say "disgruntled ex player/employee/bad source" etc.. for so long before the smoke becomes too thick to ignore. Too many stories like this to merely dismiss it.

This just is more evidence that the BOD probably came down hard on Murphy when it became clear he was ignoring football side of things. Now he's panicking and overcompensating. Not going to end well.

I just hope it doesn't cost them a good young HC. Murphy is more easily replaceable than ML.
Nope wasn't the BOD per say. In fact the opposite happened it appears as if they just let Murphy "handle it" and he then put his own spin on the structure. Again if true it's a complete cluster.
 
BOD won't step in with a situation like this. They'll let Muphy sink or swim on his own choices. Now they can hold court over his decision, whereas in the past, he was only "advised" by them. None of them want to give up their cushy seats.
 
I am not sure the function of the BOD today is the same as if was 15 years ago. Back then winning helped the bottom line, cap was different, FA was different. Now wins and losses really don’t impact the bottom line. Revenue share helps competitive balance, very little of bottom line is tickets and in GB with the wait list it’s an afterthought, same with PSL’s.

It’s more “corporate “ today. As long as cash flow is adequate, seats are full and the “brand” does not get tarnished Murphy is safe. Titletown is now generates cash which translates to merchandise and larger revenue streams. Green Bay is unique. The team will never move, while profits are important it’s not like a privately owned club and there are fans who will keep the green and gold shades on no matter what happens on the field. If this team goes 9-7 or 10-6 “all is well” will be the message
 
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