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Schottenheimer saga hit McCarthy
By BOB McGINN
The Green Bay Packers were well aware of speculation that Marty Schottenheimer wanted to interview their secondary coach, Kurt Schottenheimer, to fill the Chargers' vacancy at defensive coordinator. Kurt, 57, is six years younger than Marty.
McCarthy didn't want to lose Kurt Schottenheimer, whom he regards as a valuable member of his staff, but also had empathy for Marty Schottenheimer, the man who gave him his first National Football League coaching job at Kansas City in 1993.
"Only thing I can tell you is San Diego never faxed for permission on Kurt Schottenheimer," McCarthy said. "I'm also not naïve to the fact that may have been a possibility."
In an interview Tuesday with ESPN, Marty Schottenheimer indicated that hiring his younger brother had been discussed in a meeting with Chargers owner Dean Spanos and general manager A.J. Smith at mid-day Monday but wasn't completed because he was fired that afternoon.
Citing sources, the San Diego Union reported that Marty Schottenheimer's insistence on hiring his brother was the final straw in the opinion of the team.
The Packers were under no obligation to allow the Chargers to interview Kurt Schottenheimer because he was under contract in Green Bay and the job wasn't as a head coach. But given McCarthy's close relationship with Marty Schottenheimer and his strong words in the past supporting upward mobility for his coaches, it's unlikely he would have stood in Kurt's way.
In 13 seasons as an assistant under his brother, Kurt had coached special teams in Cleveland (1987-'88) and in Kansas City (1989-'94), defensive backs in Kansas City (1995-'98) and served as defensive coordinator in Washington (2001).
Although happy about retaining Kurt Schottenheimer, McCarthy didn't sound pleased about Marty Schottenheimer's dismissal.
"When I hired the staff I wanted someone with coordinator experience in that position (secondary coach)," McCarthy said. "I'm very happy with Kurt Schottenheimer. I'm just disappointed that that situation ended the way it did."
At this point, the Packers still have 19 of their 20 assistant coaches from 2006. The only departure was offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski, who went to Boston College as head coach.
Defensive line coach Robert Nunn was mentioned by an Oklahoma newspaper in a long list of possible candidates for the defensive coordinator job at his alma mater, Oklahoma State. McCarthy, however, said to his knowledge Nunn hadn't been approached.
McCarthy said none of his assistants had interviewed for other jobs, adding that the Packers did deny permission to interview for at least one of their coaches he wouldn't identify. In 2005, the Packers denied permission to another National Football League club that wanted to interview James Campen, then assistant offensive line coach.
“It may not be the opinion of others but I’m very happy with our coaching staff and the growth of it,” McCarthy said. “I feel good about the promotions I’ve made within. I think it speaks for having balance within a staff.”
Not official: If recent history is any indication, and it probably is, the Packers will increase the price of their tickets for 2007.
The Packers have been on an every-other-year pattern this decade, evidenced by their increases in 2001, '03 and '05. They made no increase in 2002, '04 and '06.
A decision is expected to be made by the team's executive committee within the next few weeks.
"It's a possibility but I wouldn't say it's a sure thing right now," said Bob Harlan, the team's chief executive officer. "We have not officially discussed it but we still could."
The price of grandstand seats at Lambeau Field in 2005 and '06 were $67 (between the 20-yard lines), $59 (other sideline seats) and $54 (end-zone seats). Last year, the Packers said their average ticket price of $58.39 ranked in the middle of the league.
Decisions await: Fullback William Henderson turns 36 next week and hinted after the season that he might retire. But with Brett Favre returning, McCarthy has little doubt that Henderson would like to play a 13th season.
"I think he wants to play," McCarthy said. "I don't know too many guys that don't want to play."
Asked if he wanted Henderson back, McCarthy replied, "Just like we said after the season, the thing I'm focused on is our football team as a whole. You always want to keep your own free agents. If you get into that fantasy football thing, it's all hunky-dory but it's not practical. The best way to improve is with the people you have."
Henderson has a year left on his contract that calls for a minimum base salary of $820,000 and a $100,000 workout bonus.
Meanwhile, running back Ahman Green is one of the eight Packers headed for unrestricted-free-agent status March 2 unless he's re-signed.
“I hope he’s here,” McCarthy said. “Shoot, I don’t know. Contract negotiations, I don’t participate in and I just get an update once in a while. I couldn’t tell you one way or the other.”
By BOB McGINN
The Green Bay Packers were well aware of speculation that Marty Schottenheimer wanted to interview their secondary coach, Kurt Schottenheimer, to fill the Chargers' vacancy at defensive coordinator. Kurt, 57, is six years younger than Marty.
McCarthy didn't want to lose Kurt Schottenheimer, whom he regards as a valuable member of his staff, but also had empathy for Marty Schottenheimer, the man who gave him his first National Football League coaching job at Kansas City in 1993.
"Only thing I can tell you is San Diego never faxed for permission on Kurt Schottenheimer," McCarthy said. "I'm also not naïve to the fact that may have been a possibility."
In an interview Tuesday with ESPN, Marty Schottenheimer indicated that hiring his younger brother had been discussed in a meeting with Chargers owner Dean Spanos and general manager A.J. Smith at mid-day Monday but wasn't completed because he was fired that afternoon.
Citing sources, the San Diego Union reported that Marty Schottenheimer's insistence on hiring his brother was the final straw in the opinion of the team.
The Packers were under no obligation to allow the Chargers to interview Kurt Schottenheimer because he was under contract in Green Bay and the job wasn't as a head coach. But given McCarthy's close relationship with Marty Schottenheimer and his strong words in the past supporting upward mobility for his coaches, it's unlikely he would have stood in Kurt's way.
In 13 seasons as an assistant under his brother, Kurt had coached special teams in Cleveland (1987-'88) and in Kansas City (1989-'94), defensive backs in Kansas City (1995-'98) and served as defensive coordinator in Washington (2001).
Although happy about retaining Kurt Schottenheimer, McCarthy didn't sound pleased about Marty Schottenheimer's dismissal.
"When I hired the staff I wanted someone with coordinator experience in that position (secondary coach)," McCarthy said. "I'm very happy with Kurt Schottenheimer. I'm just disappointed that that situation ended the way it did."
At this point, the Packers still have 19 of their 20 assistant coaches from 2006. The only departure was offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski, who went to Boston College as head coach.
Defensive line coach Robert Nunn was mentioned by an Oklahoma newspaper in a long list of possible candidates for the defensive coordinator job at his alma mater, Oklahoma State. McCarthy, however, said to his knowledge Nunn hadn't been approached.
McCarthy said none of his assistants had interviewed for other jobs, adding that the Packers did deny permission to interview for at least one of their coaches he wouldn't identify. In 2005, the Packers denied permission to another National Football League club that wanted to interview James Campen, then assistant offensive line coach.
“It may not be the opinion of others but I’m very happy with our coaching staff and the growth of it,” McCarthy said. “I feel good about the promotions I’ve made within. I think it speaks for having balance within a staff.”
Not official: If recent history is any indication, and it probably is, the Packers will increase the price of their tickets for 2007.
The Packers have been on an every-other-year pattern this decade, evidenced by their increases in 2001, '03 and '05. They made no increase in 2002, '04 and '06.
A decision is expected to be made by the team's executive committee within the next few weeks.
"It's a possibility but I wouldn't say it's a sure thing right now," said Bob Harlan, the team's chief executive officer. "We have not officially discussed it but we still could."
The price of grandstand seats at Lambeau Field in 2005 and '06 were $67 (between the 20-yard lines), $59 (other sideline seats) and $54 (end-zone seats). Last year, the Packers said their average ticket price of $58.39 ranked in the middle of the league.
Decisions await: Fullback William Henderson turns 36 next week and hinted after the season that he might retire. But with Brett Favre returning, McCarthy has little doubt that Henderson would like to play a 13th season.
"I think he wants to play," McCarthy said. "I don't know too many guys that don't want to play."
Asked if he wanted Henderson back, McCarthy replied, "Just like we said after the season, the thing I'm focused on is our football team as a whole. You always want to keep your own free agents. If you get into that fantasy football thing, it's all hunky-dory but it's not practical. The best way to improve is with the people you have."
Henderson has a year left on his contract that calls for a minimum base salary of $820,000 and a $100,000 workout bonus.
Meanwhile, running back Ahman Green is one of the eight Packers headed for unrestricted-free-agent status March 2 unless he's re-signed.
“I hope he’s here,” McCarthy said. “Shoot, I don’t know. Contract negotiations, I don’t participate in and I just get an update once in a while. I couldn’t tell you one way or the other.”
