Matt LaFleur: Risky Choice Or Perfect Fit?

There's plenty of folks on both sides of that equation. Did the Green Bay Packers make a mistake in tabbing Matt LaFleur as the 15th coach in franchise history. OR was it a brilliant move to sign the soon-to-be 40 year-old to a four year contract (with a fifth year option)?

Lacking an accurate crystal ball, I guess only time will tell. But let's consider the Packer head coaching moves since St. Vincent Lombardi stepped away with his five championships (and a 9-1 playoff record) in nine seasons.

• Phil Bengston:  6-7-1 in his first season. Anointed by Vince, his well-respected defensive coordinator (saddled with an aging,over-the-hill roster) won his opener and was mediocre for three years with records of 6-7-1, 8-6 and 6-8.
• Dan Devine: 4-8-2 in his first season. Things were far from divine with this coach, who was successful at the college level (at Missouri before Green Bay, Notre Dame after). Granted, he did get the team to the playoffs in 1972 with a 10-4 record (on the success of running backs John Brockington and McArthur Lane). His other seasons were 4-8-2, 5-7-2 and 6-8. Perhaps his greatest sin was trading away a boat-load of draft picks for an old, OLD quarterback in John Hadl. Left the franchise ham-strung for several years/
• Bart Starr: 4-10 in his first season. No coaching experience of any kind, but he came to the job when asked by a franchise he loved. Never won more than eight games in his nine seasons, going 53-77-3. Packer fans were very, VERY patient with Bart.
• Forest Gregg: 8-8 in his first season. Another Lombardi alum, won eight games in each of his first two seasons, but only nine the next two years. His teams were sullied by a lack of discipline, as much from him as from the questionable characters he brought in.
• Lindy Infante: 4-12 in his first season. Four years saw a high of 10-6 in 1989, but that was sandwiched around seasons of 4-12, 6-10, 4-12.
• Mike Holgrem: 9-7 in his first season. The Walrus brought Green Bay back to respectability, and spoiled Packer fans. Went 84-42 and won a Super Bowl; had a 9-5 playoff record.
• Ray Rhodes: 8-8. After the success years under Holgrem, Green Bay was not about to stick with mediocrity, especially with Hall of Fame QB Brett Favre on the field.
• Mike Sherman: 9-7 in his first season. Respectable record of 59-43 BUT only 2-4 in the playoffs.
• Mike McCarthy: 8-8 in his first season, finished career with 125-77-2 record and a Super Bowl title; disappointing 10-8 in the playoffs.

So, the general theme among these nine coaches? In their first seasons, none posted more than nine wins. Can LaFleur break that mold?

Well, so far there has been several changes in the staff. Though all of McCarthy's coaches were under contract for 2019, six have either been fired or taken jobs elsewhere as of this writing: Offensive run game coordinator/line coach James Campen, wide receivers coach David Raih, defensive pass game coordinator Joe Whitt, defensive run game coordinator Patrick Graham, quarterbacks coach Frank Cignetti and special teams coach Ron Zook.

Zook was a no-brainer, as the Packer special teams have been all but during his stint.

The one name noticeably missing? Defensive Coordinator Mike Pettine. Retaining Pettine would be a great move by LaFleur. Working with a patchwork lineup racked by injuries all season, Pettine's teams still played well. Keeping his system is a plus for the Packers. And for LaFleur, it gives him a veteran coach who also has head coaching experience -- someone who can be a sounding board for a young coach.

The key for LaFleur? Surrounding himself with top-notch people and letting them do their jobs, but holding them accountable. The only hire so far is Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, although LaFleur has said he will be calling the plays and relying on Hackett for support.