Breaking News: Mike McCarthy is New Packers Head Coach!

According to WTMJ-TV 4 in Milwaukee tonight, Mike McCarthy is the new Packers Head Coach.

McCarthy had been serving as San Francisco's offensive coordinator. He had previously spent one year -- 1999 -- as the Pack's QB coach. There is some feeling, apparently, that McCarthy's close relationship with Brett Favre might help in keeping Brett around for at least one more year.

This selection may come as a bit of a surprise to some -- including the author of an article in today's Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Online -- who felt that current Packers defensive coordinator, Jim Bates, perhaps had the inside track on the job.

The official announcement of McCarthy's hiring might come as early as a Thursday morning press conference.

One of McCarthy's first tasks will be to put a staff in place. He will be looking for a new QB coach as reports indicate that the Pack's current QB coach, former Badger QB Darrell Bevel, will be named the ViQueens new offensive coordinator under their new head coach, Brad Childress.

Stay tuned as the McCarthy era commences.