Introducing Coach Mike McCarthy

The Mike McCarthy era begins in Green Bay, Packer fans. And according to his comments at the introductory press conference, he has an "unconditional commitment to bring the world championship back to Green Bay." Ya gotta like that!

Packers GM, Ted Thompson, introduced the 14th head coach in Packers history, saying McCarthy had the "Pittsburgh-macho, tough guy" quality he liked in a coach. McCarthy also is now the youngest head coach in the NFL at age 42. One of his first tasks will be to hire his assistant coaching staff. According to reports, two candidates for offensive coordinator are Atlanta offensive line coach Jeff Jagodzinski, a former Packers tight ends coach from 1999-’03, and Tampa Bay quarterbacks coach Paul Hackett, who worked with McCarthy at Kansas City in 1993.

McCarthy also made it a point to say that one of the first things he'd like to do is sit down with spurned head coach candidate and Packers defensive coordinator Jim Bates and try to convince him to stay on. Admirable. But given how Bates must feel after being the fan favorite for the position and being rejected by Thompson, we shouldn't hold our collective breaths about Bates returning.

At 42 and with this his first head coaching gig, McCarthy certainly fits the "new face" criterion that Thompson said he wanted when he fired Mike Sherman. We'll have to wait to see what results come along with that new look.