GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – It’s official: Brian Gutekunst is the Green Bay Packers’ new general manager.
“I am extremely excited to name Brian Gutenkunst as our new General Manager. It is a great day for the Green Bay Packers” Packer CEO and President Mark Murphy said to open his press conference.
The team made the official announcement Monday. Gutekunst will have complete control over all roster decisions, including the draft and free agency, the team says. He will also lead the Packers’ scouting department.
“I let Mark know on Friday that this is my dream job. I am really glad that it came to where we are now” Guteknust said Monday.
Gutekunst replaces Ted Thompson, who the team announced last week would transition to a senior advisory position.
“Guteknust has spent 19 years with the Packers, proving to not only be a skilled talent evaluator, but a trusted and collaborative leader. His time under the direction of former Packers general managers Ron Wolf and Ted Thompson will undoubtedly serve him well as we work toward our next Super Bowl championship. I am confident that he is the man that will help get us there” Murphy said in a statement.
The new GM thanked god, his family and his mentors and then expressed his vision of what the hire means.
“Really excited about this opportunity. This is an amazing place. There is a standard of excellence here that has been her for a long, long time”
Guteknust said he plans to stay with draft and develop for acquiring young players, but said he wants to be a little more agressive in other ways to acquire players, hinting towards being active in the free agent market.
“We are not going to leave any stone unturned as far as player acquisition. It does not mean we are always going to get to the finish and sign the guy, but we are going to be in on every possible acquisition.”
A NEW FRONT OFFICE STRUCTURE
The Packers promoted Russ Ball to executive vice president/director of football operations.
Ball was one of the team’s internal candidates for the GM job, but will continue in his role of managing the team’s salary cap and serving as the chief contract negotiator. He will also continue to oversee several areas in football operations.
The Packers also announced that head coach Mike McCarthy, along with Gutekunst and Ball, will report directly to Murphy.
“Three key people in our organization will all report to me, but they are going to be making the football decisions. To really improve communication in all these areas of football, I thought it would be helpful to have Mike McCarthy to report to me. I think it is best for the organization” Murphy said.
Murphy painted a picture of the new strucutre which would put him at top, with the GM, Director of Football Operations and Head Coach reporting to him. Gutekunst would be responsible for roster, draft and free agent signing. Ball would stay responsible for the salary cap, contracts and finances. McCarthy would still be in charge of coaches, overall play and player development.
As General Manager, Ted Thompson was also responsible for all the above, but Murphy said the GM interview process showed him where a structure change was needed.
“I have been trying to get more involved the last couple of years, but this process showed me how exactly to do that.”
Murphy said what that won’t involve is ruling with an iron fist, including in times of conflict.
“I will mediate and bring people together, and try to get people on the same page, but if it is not possible then I will make the final decision.”
ELIOT WOLF???
Many are questioning the status of Eliot Wolf in the front office. Wolf was a candidate for the General Manager position, but has also been a prospect for front office positions with other teams.
Gutekunst said he understands if Wolf looks elsewhere, but indicated that he would like to keep him on staff.”I think the world of Eliot Wolf, not only as a scout. Obviously he has other opportunities if he wants them, but I am very hopeful that he will be here.”
Mark Murphy also added his thoughts on Wolf, after interviewing him.
“He is going to be a General Manager someday. He is extremely talented, and I have a great respect for him. I really believe he has a great career ahead of him.”
The press conference went 35 minutes. Gutekunst said the work starts now with All-Star games and scouting oppertunities taking place in the coming weeks.
