Packers President Mark Murphy said there were plenty of strong candidates for the team’s head coaching vacancy.
The only problem was, through nine interviews, nobody really stood out.
Luckily, Matt LaFleur was the 10th interview.
“He has the unique combination of a quiet confidence, but yet a humility,” Murphy said. “I see him having the ability and experience to really make a difference. I think we’ve found a gem in Matt, and we’re really excited about the future under his leadership.”
LaFleur said he was “speechless” after getting the job offer on Monday.
“To be following in the footsteps of Curly Lambeau, Vince Lombardi, Mike Holmgren, Mike McCarthy,” LaFleur said Wednesday. “It’s truly an honor.”
Packers GM Brian Gutekunst talked about making the complicated process as simple as possible.
“We wanted someone who could win, and that’s what we found in Matt,” Gutekunst said. “We’re ready to get after it and I think we have the perfect candidate to lead us to where we want to go. There’s one goal here, it’s always been one goal, to win world championships, and we’re excited to get started.”
LaFleur said he fielded a call from Aaron Rodgers before officially being offered the job.
“I’ll tell you what I cannot wait to get to work with him,” LaFleur said. “I think he’s equally excited and there’s a lot of work to be done in front of us, but just looking forward to that opportunity. “I think we’re both on the same page. We are committed to winning, there’s no doubt about it, and he’s a competitor.”
At his introductory press conference LaFleur said no decisions have been made about coordinators or assistant coaches, but will be soon. As far as the opportunity to coach in Green Bay, LaFleur said it is “surreal.”
“I can’t think of a greater place to be a head coach in this league or, really, all of sports.”
