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Green Bay Packers: Why not Pete Carmichael Jr for next head coach?

By Brandon Carwile

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 28: Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael of the New Orleans Saints watches from the sideline during a game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field Field at Mile High on October 28, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Saints 34-14. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 28: Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael of the New Orleans Saints watches from the sideline during a game against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field Field at Mile High on October 28, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Saints 34-14. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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Pete Carmichael Jr. is a legitimate candidate for the head coach opening for the Green Bay Packers.

Josh McDaniels appears to be the leader in the clubhouse for the Green Bay Packers head coaching job but he’s not the only offensive coordinator on the market with an outstanding track record. Pete Carmichael Jr. has been Sean Payton’s right-hand man with the New Orleans Saints for the last decade.

Since 2009, when Carmichael took over as the offensive coordinator, the Saints have finished with the number one overall offense four times. The Packers have expressed interest according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel who reported they have scheduled an interview with Carmichael for Saturday afternoon.

Going with Carmichael instead of a candidate like McDaniels would indicate a totally different approach from Green Bay’s front office. Carmichael possesses a quiet demeanor and has no previous head coaching experience. For the most part he has flown under the radar during his time in New Orleans.

“He’s been a great coach for us and I’m hopeful we’re able to keep him,” Payton said recently via the Times-Picayune. “And, yet, you understand when you have success one of the things that can happen is coaches can move up and get promoted.”

Green Bay’s interest indicates they do not want to leave any stone unturned in their head coaching search. After all, Carmichael is one of the few NFL minds who can take credit for developing and sustaining the success in an all-time quarterback in Drew Brees. A nugget that’s made him the longest tenured offensive coordinator in the NFL.

Managing Brees, though, would be different than bouncing ideas back and forth with Aaron Rodgers. Brees, who will turn 40 later this month, is a humble servant while Rodgers is a perennial superstar with a distinguished ego, however, there’s no disputing Carmichael’s esteemed résumé would garner Rodgers’ respect.

So why isn’t there more buzz surrounding the 47-year-old coordinator with a Super Bowl ring on his finger? Well, for one, he’s been overshadowed by his head coach who is among the best in the league. Carmichael also isn’t a young stud who is part of some new wave of offensive ingenuity.

He’s safe, and has been a part of an adaptive system with consistent success.

Over the past two season’s the Saints’ offense has emphasized getting the ball in the hands of their playmakers such as running back Alvin Kamara. Kamara has a similar skill set to that of Packers running back Aaron Jones who is an emerging talent in his own right. While Jones hasn’t had quite the same success as the former AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, there are distinguishing similarities in their play styles as slashers and dynamic receiving backs.

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Carmichael’s chances of landing the job in Green Bay seem to be growing following reports by Cantonrep.com who believe the Cleveland Browns have a mutual interest in McDaniels. Meanwhile, the Packers are the only team to have officially scheduled an interview with Carmichael.

His history makes him an admissible candidate to revive Green Bay’s offense and prolong Rodgers’ career.

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