Packers' New Front Office Structure Not Without Risk
By ChrisWanless
The Green Bay Packers’ new-look front office is starting to take shape. With the announcement of Brian Gutekunst as the team’s new general manager on Monday, the Packers have officially moved out of the Ted Thompson era and into a new, as yet uncertain one.
One thing is for sure—Gutekunst, in a matter of about 35 minutes, already has a better relationship with the media than his predecessor. Not only did the 44-year old longtime scout provide thoughtful answers to reporters at his introductory press conference, he actually seemed happy to do so.
Perhaps the most encouraging sign of the day came when Gutekunst was asked about his philosophy as it relates to player acquisition. While fans shouldn’t expect the Packers to go crazy in free agency, Gutekunst seemed adamant that the team would be more aggressive when it comes to signing players from outside the organization.
“The thing that I’ve already told our guys is that we’re not going to be signing every player,” Gutekunst said. “We’re not going to be able to make that the foundation of our team, but we want to be in it and we want to be in the know of everything that’s going on and, if it makes sense for us, not to be afraid. We have to be prepared enough to pull the trigger.”
A new general manager wasn’t the only change to the Packers’ leadership on Monday. Team president Mark Murphy also announced a restructuring of the chain of communication within the front office. Murphy pointed to “silos” surrounding the different areas of the football operation as the cause for an apparent communication breakdown within the building.
Whereas the general manager has had full control of the football operation in the past, Gutekunst and head coach Mike McCarthy will now both report directly to Murphy. Gutekunst will still have full control over the personnel side of football operations, but any coaching changes he wishes to make would now have to be cleared by Murphy, which goes against what Murphy stated last week when he said the new general manager would have full power to hire or fire coaches.
The biggest departure from the old way of doing things could come in the form of what Murphy said will be weekly meetings between him and McCarthy. When asked what exactly will be discussed in those meetings, Murphy offered a rather off-putting response.
“Obviously game plans, the games, coaching positions,” Murphy said, “everything that’s under the coach’s control.”
On the surface, it might seem normal for a coach to keep his boss informed about what’s going on with the team on a week-to-week basis, and if McCarthy is talking to Murphy about coaching positions, it wouldn’t be completely out of left field. But when the head coach starts discussing the weekly game plans with the owner—or, in this case, a representative for the owners—there’s always a chance things can start to get murky.
Now, is it likely that Murphy would reach a point where he is actively trying to influence the game plans? Probably not. But that’s not the only potential pitfall of such a chain of communication.
A triangular design also opens the door for individuals to circumvent the power structure. For example, say McCarthy and Gutekunst are in disagreement on a personnel move. Even though such decisions belong to Gutekunst, McCarthy may feel more empowered to get in Murphy’s ear, since Murphy would ultimately hold the trump card if he felt it necessary.
Are these extreme examples that would comprise a worst-case scenario? Absolutely. But the NFL is an ego-driven league whether you like it or not, and every possible scenario must be planned for.
Luckily for the Packers, all three men have had a very strong working relationship in the past. How well the new structure works won’t be clear until some real football decisions have been made and at least one season has played out, but the Packers are obviously open to taking some risks if it leads to success.
Comments (79)
D.D.Driver
January 09, 2018 at 01:42 pm
There is a thread going on another post, but yeah. This makes no sense to me. When Ron Wolf came aboard he gave an ultimatum: if you want me, stay out of the way. That system has worked well for a quarter or a decade. The Packers have been a model franchise.
If you don't trust Gudekunst to run the team, hire someone else. If you do trust him, get out of the way and know your role.
Same goes for McCarthy: know your role. If you don't like the way the GM is running the team, head for the door. I have been a McCarthy supporter, but process and chain of command is more important than any individual.
Tundraboy
January 09, 2018 at 11:42 am
Totally agree. Unnecessary changes, much like what MM did with the the Offensive coaches, coordinators, assistants and all the variations of those ....
Thought we were building a team not a coaching management bureaucracy. Yikes.
Razer
January 09, 2018 at 12:28 pm
Good comparison TundraBoy. I don't like this move at all
Bearmeat
January 09, 2018 at 11:17 am
No, it's not without risk, and no, I don't like it. I'd bet this was a power play by MM.
You need to have a clear structure of authority. That said, I don't doubt it will work well to begin with. I also don't doubt it will end in acrimony and dysfunction.
Dougherty has a great article on it below.
https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/dougherty/2018/01/08/d...
Coldworld
January 09, 2018 at 06:01 pm
Which MM? It certainly turned into one by Mark Murphy.
cheesycowboy
January 09, 2018 at 11:27 am
Murphy is taking on a lot over with football organization
and chain of command. Did I hear correctly Brian, Russ
and Mike will report directly to Mark on a weekly basis
or need to know basis? I've always thought the admin/
personal/coaching was an inverted triangle.
zoellner25
January 09, 2018 at 11:38 am
you heard correct, that's the structure he described
zoellner25
January 09, 2018 at 11:37 am
Mark Murphy has provided two of the most rambling, incoherent pressers I've ever heard. Circles around, no complete thought, no clear explanations. Amazing he's a team Prez.
I just hope it all works.
4thand1
January 09, 2018 at 02:46 pm
Murphy seems to be a guy that sucks in public speaking.
TKWorldWide
January 09, 2018 at 09:14 pm
Begs the question, “Who is writing his stuff?”
Finwiz
January 09, 2018 at 11:39 am
This new reporting structure was Murphy reacting to the lack of communication he discovered between MM, Thompson and Ball. It may be somewhat of an over-reaction, but it can't hurt unless guys start back stabbing each other with Murphy. It will be up to Murphy to nip it in the bud if guys aren't working as a team. This could be a tough assignment with the ego's he has in place, and their mighty titles.
D.D.Driver
January 09, 2018 at 11:45 am
So you *hire* a GM that will keep the lines of communication open with his *subordinates*. You do not hire a GM and then immediately neuter him because you are worried he won't talk to his guys.
Finwiz
January 09, 2018 at 11:54 am
I'm not denying it's a risk to some degree.
It seems like somewhat of a power play by Murphy, but perhaps he feels it will be easier to evaluate his top executives by interacting with them on a weekly basis, as opposed to when problems arise and he's blindsided.
If it really was as autocratic as it appears with Thompson, then I can't really say I blame Murphy for this move.
It seems to me Thompson was in fact as big of an eccentric weirdo, as many tried to tell us when he was originally hired. You know there are many stories out there about him, the consistent one of which is not very flattering for a macho, football environment.
Razer
January 09, 2018 at 12:34 pm
Part of being a good GM is being a good communicator, which Ted obviously wasn't. Hire the right guy with the right skills and no problem. Changing the structure because Ted didn't communicate with his people is a chainsaw to cut butter.
TarynsEyes
January 09, 2018 at 11:42 am
So we have a Julia Child (moderation-Ball ) and Mario Batali ( predictable-McCarthy ) in the kitchen and when a dispute occurs they go to Graham Kerr...The Galloping Gourmet...... for the decision...this dish should be awesome. : )
Brian
January 09, 2018 at 12:18 pm
LOL
4thand1
January 09, 2018 at 02:50 pm
You watching to many cooking shows.
Spock
January 09, 2018 at 08:51 pm
Taryn, as someone with a culinary degree and who's a bit of a "foodie ", I'd be more than happy to try a dish made by those 3 (assuming of course there was a way to bring Julia back, LOL). I think you've picked a bad analogy if you are trying to say this structure is a bad thing (I'm not wild about this change myself, but would love to try this food!)
Thegreatreynoldo
January 10, 2018 at 06:09 am
Maybe so. I don't have a culinary degree (by which I mean I can't cook a thing). My wife was a fabulous cook as was her best friend and grandmother. The three would divide up the dishes that had to be prepared for our community center, and things worked very well.
I am not at all sure they could have collaborated on the same dish, though. All three were strong-willed and control freaks, and they used different recipes for some of our traditional dishes. Honestly, making Piparkukas would have been a battle royal. IIRC, they couldn't even agree on the ingredients, and the battles over allspice, coriander, shortening vs. lard would have been intense. The dough has to set for a full week (one of the reasons I had no less than 3 full sized refrigerators in my home). I suspect that if you were the most highly credentialed culinary expert in the world it wouldn't have mattered to at least 2 of the 3; maybe one more could be swayed if your first name ends in an "s". Come to think of it, Grandma never agreed to write down her recipe and didn't even reveal it to her own daughter; fortunately she did make them with her grand-daughter, my wife. That was as well since Grandma never measured anything.
egbertsouse
January 09, 2018 at 12:12 pm
Mark Murphy just made three big hires: New GM-Mark Murphy, New CFO-Mark Murphy, New HC-Mark Murphy. I sure hope these three get along.
Coldworld
January 09, 2018 at 06:04 pm
This wins my prize for hitting the nail on the head. Mark Murphy the self-appointed King of Lambeau.
NMPF
January 09, 2018 at 12:16 pm
Though the perceived doom and gloom of these moves shock the system of some fans, I feel it's about time Murphy stops worrying about a tubing hill and starts getting to work on attempting to fix the internal problems he knows have been plaguing 1265 for the last 5 years. Go Pack Go!
4thand1
January 09, 2018 at 02:51 pm
Geez, I wonder if anything new happened lately, any clues?
Houndog
January 09, 2018 at 03:30 pm
MMPF,
You're right, it is "About Time"!
The fact that he waited 5 years is the part that really sucks, maybe he suddenly realized (or was told) that it was his ass on the chopping block!
Brian
January 09, 2018 at 12:23 pm
Does this mean that since the GM doesn't have complete control of the football operation, an organization that does offer the GM complete control can hire Gutey without GB being able to block the move?
D.D.Driver
January 09, 2018 at 01:05 pm
That's a really good point....
Coldworld
January 09, 2018 at 06:07 pm
Theoretically, but the rules are deliberately a bit gray. Murphy is no different than an owner giving complete authority (knowing he can take it back anytime) so I think we would be safe
Since'61
January 09, 2018 at 12:27 pm
The new structure is different but that doesn't mean that it will be better or worse, just different than what we had before. If it is not working Murphy can always go back to the old structure. Murphy is probably reacting to feedback he received about the old arrangement or MM wanted more direct access to Murphy. Or Murphy is trying to show the public that he is still involved with the team after receiving criticism for focusing on Title land. Or the BOD wants him involved and wants some answers/results. Or a combination of all of the above plus more.
In any case, give the new organization a chance. Many posters here wanted change (including myself at DC). Well, be careful what you ask for because now you have it in spades. Since we can't do anything about it, embrace it and go forward. We can always return to the old structure and we can be certain that there will be more changes to come. Thanks, Since '61
Coldworld
January 09, 2018 at 06:13 pm
People don’t often take authority and then let it go easily, but it could happen. Really only time will tell if it is a good move or a bad one. I admire your faith that the executive committee and BoD still operate as they did in days of yore.
Spock
January 09, 2018 at 08:55 pm
Since '61, that is a sensible approach. Let's just see how it all goes. There's been WAY too much panic in the comments section lately!
Houndog
January 09, 2018 at 12:41 pm
What a cluster-F@&%,
Looks to me like Murphy got annoyed with living in the shadows of the legacies left behind by Bob Harlan and Ron Wolf. Good luck with that!
Harlan was responsible for hiring Wolf and was front and center in getting Lambeau remodeled into the money-maker that helps to make Murphy look good on paper!
Wolf changed the culture in GB to make it a place veterans wanted to play.
Together, the two of them pulled a team out of the gutter and built it into an annual contender.
Murphy, on the other hand stood by, watched, and did nothing while that same contender faltered and fell under his "Management", an inexcusable blunder that will always be a part of the legacy he leaves behind, and rightfully so!
McPuffy the same! He stands and watches Capers run the defense into the ground and what does he get for it, more power!
Of all the BS I heard during Murphy's press conference about weekly meetings, silos, and him being involved in game plans, et al, one word seemed conspicuously absent, ACCOUNTABILITY!
Who holds who accountable?
Power grabbing is one thing when you OWN the team, but being a pretender and being a contender are worlds apart.
The best part of this whole deal is that its now Murphy's system and it should therefore be his balls on the chopping block should it fail.
It's called accountability!
Let's see what kind of legacy this turns out to be!
Bearmeat
January 09, 2018 at 12:57 pm
100% agreed. This is not going to end well.
Razer
January 09, 2018 at 01:07 pm
Good points Hounddog. The sentence "Who holds who accountable?" really stands out. If McCarthy keeps flailing away with defenses and player performance, who is going make the call? Then who will make the hire?
Less than a week ago, Mark Murphy said that the GM has and will have the authority to hire/fire the coach. Now, after the coach was in on the GM pick, the President is the guy in charge. Slimey. Maybe Mark was talking to Jerry Jones during the week.
Houndog
January 09, 2018 at 03:31 pm
Razer,
funny you should say that!
I actually removed a sentence suggesting that Murphy was the "New" Jerry Jones".
Kinda' seems like a power move to me, "get rid of Jimmy Johnson so "I" get all the credit"
Oh yeah, how'd that work out for you, Jerry?
Coldworld
January 09, 2018 at 06:19 pm
Lol. Murphy couldn’t be Jerry Jones if his life depended on it. For that I am truly thankful. I agree that he theoretically has the authority of Jerry though, subject only to the executive committee and BoD if they are still capable of concerted action beyond reaching for a cocktail and luxury box tickets
Spock
January 09, 2018 at 09:07 pm
Houndog, "Murphy, on the other hand stood by, watched, and did nothing while that same contender faltered and fell under his "Management". Huh? This is for the first losing season/not going to the playoffs in, what?, eight years? I'd love to see what your job review looks like in comparison. Get real, dude. Other teams fans would KILL for the record we've had. Get some perspective, please. All this knee-jerk reaction to recent events just blows my mind (feel free to take a cheap shot on how small a detonation that would require. I kind of expect it.) :). Honestly, let's just see how this goes. I'm not going to lose any sleep over a management restructuring. Murphy obviously found out that he needs to be more hands on with the football side. Fine. He's a smart man, let's see how it works before we condemn it!
Thegreatreynoldo
January 10, 2018 at 07:27 am
Well, we have lots of people who defended the previous GM tooth and nail, all the while pointing to our won/loss record and playoff appearances as evidence. Yet now clearly Murphy has thrown TT under the bus and described significant management problems that he claims requires a considerable change in the structure of that management.
It appears that Murphy was asleep at the switch and failed to identify these significant issues. What you fail to appreciate, imo, is that the presence of AR will continue to mask bad coaching and drafting, poor communication between the pro personnel and the GM, poor communication between the coaches and scouting/GM, if they persist, and lax oversight by Murphy.
The difference reminds me of why my father would say "Xerox that for me" and I would say "copy that for me."
D.D.Driver
January 10, 2018 at 07:50 am
Give Thompson his due. Rodgers did fall from heaven. Thompson drafted Rodgers. Thompson had the stones to let Favre walk in the face of public backlash. Thompson gave Rodgers a long contract after 7 starts (when many pundits thought it was "way too early" to extend Rodgers.
Saying that Rodgers has masked Thompson's ineptitude is like saying Favre and Rodgers masked Wolf's ineptitude...
rdent
January 09, 2018 at 12:46 pm
After this new revelation,I won't be surprised to see Eliot Wolf bolt to Cleveland.
Houndog
January 09, 2018 at 12:45 pm
rdent,
From most everything I've read this morning, that sounds like a done deal.
(Unless of course someone wants him as GM elsewhere)
rdent
January 09, 2018 at 01:41 pm
Sure can't blame Wolf, they give his position to Ball and Murphy leap frogs Gutekunst over Wolf. How much clearer can Murphy make it that Wolf is no longer wanted in GB. Right off the bat this new structure in the FO seems very odd and has the potential to cause problems between Murphy, McCarthy and Gutekunst. After how this shook out I wonder if McCarthy is second guessing his signing a mid season extension.
Houndog
January 09, 2018 at 03:37 pm
Another one of those scary wolf 'shadows'.
If he had given Wolf the GM job Murphy wouldn't have gotten the credit (he THINKS he deserves) if Wolf succeeded.
Qoojo
January 09, 2018 at 12:43 pm
I don't like it, but then that really doesn't matter. We shall see how it all works out.
I read about how Murphy pitched the idea to Gute to hire him, and it sounds like Murphy is just there to facilitate communication, not so much decision making. Ball took over some non-essential areas when it comes to player acquisition which I think helps Gute. Ball does handle player finance, but in that article, Murphy said Gute will win when it comes to down to an argument between Gute and Ball over whether the packers should get a player vs whether they can afford.
The one part I do not get is MM who should be under the GM, and not crying to a 3rd party (Murphy) about not getting decent players. MM wasted at least 3 years of Rodgers' career with that whine and failing to see Capers could not do the job. And he has enough stuff to take care of in his own house, as he likes to tell his players.
Houndog
January 09, 2018 at 12:48 pm
Qoojo,
Let's not forget McPuffy's year end press conference, where he stood in front of all of us 'non-football people' and praised Brett Hundley for his weekly improvement over the 9 weeks he played.
Razer
January 09, 2018 at 12:58 pm
McCarthy's praise of Hundley and his sympathy for Clinton Dix had me shaking my head. Both these players should have performed better but didn't. He would have been better to say nothing at all and not remove all doubt about our coaching.
WKUPackFan
January 09, 2018 at 01:41 pm
You are a "non-football person". You are possibly a Packers fan (maybe) whose knowledge of how a NFL team actually works is derived solely from consuming whatever "information" fits into your preconceived notions.
Houndog
January 09, 2018 at 03:40 pm
WKUPackFan,
Yeah, that's right, and you?
How are you different?
WKUPackFan
January 09, 2018 at 05:00 pm
No different with respect to being a non-football person. Very different in that I'm not using juvenile terms like "McPuffy" and not creating historical fantasies.
Coldworld
January 09, 2018 at 06:21 pm
Murphy is the GM. GMs make the final decisions ...
Qoojo
January 09, 2018 at 07:55 pm
That is the bottom line of this organization, although I was thinking of him as more owner than GM.
Coldworld
January 09, 2018 at 08:45 pm
He is proposing to be involved on a regular weekly basis in routine activity reviews with multiple executives, which most owners are not unless they are also GM (Jerry Jones).
Forget the formal title and I would say traditional GM is really closer to the mark.
croatpackfan
January 09, 2018 at 12:50 pm
Well, lets try to understand why Mike Murphy decided to change the system.
I think, very important reason for placed structure is lack of communications between different parts of football operations (Murphy was explicit when he start to explain new structure). Second reason was that TT job was actually composed of 3 jobs - 1. Executive Vice President, 2. General Manager & 3. Director of Football Operations. Russ Ball is, by new system, Executive Vice President & Director of Football Operations, while Brian Gutekunst is General Manager. To avoid misunderstanding between 3 important phase of Football Operations (GM - Director of Football Operations - HC) he decided to clear messages between them on weekly basis, while he will be present.
Why is it so hard to understand?
jeremyjjbrown
January 09, 2018 at 01:07 pm
Probably becuase not that many folks are involved in managing high level employees. It is in some ways an art form.
But your point is correct. Before if Capers or McCarthy though the cupboard was bare they could be forced to go around Thompson to be heard. Now that is no longer necessary. McCarthy exposes to everybody what he needs and Gutekunst and Ball help to make it better all under clear visibility of Murphy.
D.D.Driver
January 09, 2018 at 01:40 pm
You hire *Gutekunst* to manage the high level employees. If he is not qualified to manage high level employees: he should not be made GM. Dougherty is doing a live chat right now:
"*Is Murphy meeting weekly with Gutekunst, Ball and MM individually or is it a joint meeting with the 4 of them to make sure they are all on the same page?
* Sounds like he's going to meet individually with McCarthy every week. He didn't say if he will have any kind of scheduled regular meeting with Ball and Gutekunst, or if it will be part of their daily interaction."
The inmates are running the prison. All because Murphy didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.
WKUPackFan
January 09, 2018 at 01:50 pm
jeremy - You are so correct, but no matter how many times you have attempted to point this out some people simply lack the capacity to understand. Managing high level employees requires high level intelligence. Some of our fellow commenters couldn't manage a high school concession stand.
D.D.Driver
January 09, 2018 at 02:33 pm
So should Bob Harlan have insisted that Holmgren get to have weekly meetings with him and report directly to Harlan instead of Ron Wolf? Are you saying that Harlan was some type of moron who didn't know how to manage high level employees?
The question is not *how* to manage high level employees. The question is *who* should be doing the management. No matter how often I try to draw this distinction, some people are too busy selling Twizzlers at the high school basketball game to understand....
WKUPackFan
January 09, 2018 at 03:06 pm
Easy D.D., my comment wasn't directed at you. I apologize for being unnecessarily unkind.
With respect to Harlan, I'm obviously not suggesting that at all. Different management styles work for different people and situations.
Following up on your second point, I respectfully submit that the "who" and "how" are equally important. We could get deep into Peter Drucker management theory, but I'm willing to live with whatever disagreements we may have.
And, to perhaps disagree with myself, the high school concession stand I worked in (for lacrosse) had to be expertly managed. Chicken breasts and burgers being grilled, kettle chips being fried, and goodness knows how many other items. The best things about being a concession worker were: 1) getting into the game free; and 2) free food.
D.D.Driver
January 09, 2018 at 03:51 pm
Ha. A lacrosse team and chicken breast at the concession stand? Sounds pretty bougie. Fresh kettle chips? What kind of elitist prep school did you attend?!
I don't necessary disagree that "who" and "how" are both important. The point is--> they are not mutually exclusive. If Murphy wants someone with a more collaborative spirit ("how"). Fine hire that person ("who"). Then let him run the team. No matter how collaborative we aspire to be, someone at the top has to be decisive and be capable of making difficult decisions that not everyone will agree with. That's just how it is. That person is now Murphy instead of the GM.
I don't like it because Murphy has demonstrated that he is wishy-washy (one day stating that the coach will report to the GM and the next day stating the opposite) and he seems paralyzed by the thought of conflict (example: the stupid gambit to try to bribe Favre). This new organization seems like Game of Thrones. More Peter Dinklage than Peter Drucker.
WKUPackFan
January 09, 2018 at 06:20 pm
Well, now I wish that I had not apologized to you. Especially since you are dumb enough to not understand that I was referencing my son's high school, not mine. And it's a Catholic high school, not a prep school. I care enough about my children to pay for their K-12 education in a Christian environment. You're content to send your children to a crappy public school, while you spend your money on beer and cigarettes.
D.D.Driver
January 09, 2018 at 07:33 pm
Lighten up, Francis. It was a joke. (I thought "Ha" was the tell.) You know literally nothing about me or my children. For the record, I send my children to an excellent, diverse, vibrant public school. Perhaps you are one who needs a pack of smokes and a sixer of High Life to relax a bit. Geez.
D.D.Driver
January 09, 2018 at 02:34 pm
[double post]
dobber
January 09, 2018 at 03:11 pm
Mmmm...popcorn....
Since'61
January 09, 2018 at 04:40 pm
Another cookie for Dobber!!! Thanks, Since '61
Coldworld
January 09, 2018 at 06:30 pm
Wow, WKU, I can feel the sense of self worth from here.
Coldworld
January 09, 2018 at 07:06 pm
Which implies that M Murphy approves a direction. Thus Murphy decides and the assistants sort out personnel and contracts. Never read much into a title: look at the scope of authority.
croatpackfan
January 10, 2018 at 01:49 am
I'm not the only one with the feelings that this might be good structure for Packers:
https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2018/1/9/16868240/mark-murphys-reorga...
Thegreatreynoldo
January 10, 2018 at 07:53 am
Good people who respect their colleagues and have natural communication skills can succeed even if the structure is bad. I find it curious that Murphy's solution to TT's deficiencies, is, surprise surprise, a healthy dose of Murphy.
I personally would suggest that the same formula for the coaching. We should not have a "Head Coach" anymore. The OC, DC, and ST should be autonomous with the head coach handling administrative duties and acting as a facilitator between them. jk, in case anyone is wondering.
Razer
January 09, 2018 at 12:52 pm
I can't escape this feeling like I have seen the best of the Packers and disarray is around the corner. If Murphy had a little less car salesman and a little more Bob Harlan to him, I might think we have simply improved our GM situation. But, several things bother me about how this has all gone down.
A lot of good people (front office and coaches) left before any of this process got going. Highsmith took off before the landing gear came down. Elliott Wolf will likely be gone and I understand that he didn't get the position but he wasn't even mentioned in the final numbers. Ron Wolf's comments are disturbing simply because he is our last great architect.
Beyond that, the manner in which this GM search proceeded was strange. Mike McCarthy interviewing anyone is wrong. McCarthy can't even coach this team and coaches properly and he is part of the search team. It seems like Murphy, McCarthy and Ball figured who they wanted to work with and that was that.
The last and most disturbing item is Mark Murphy slipping in his organizational change at the GM introduction press conference. This is a manipulation of the situation and should be a big warning. Murphy needed to have a presser where he could answer questions without the cover of Gutekunst's big moment. Murphy is slick.
As for his org change and open communications scheme, I don't see why he couldn't achieve this before by simply talking to his people. If you want silos and personal lobbying from within, the new structure could easily achieve this - unintended or otherwise.
jeremyjjbrown
January 09, 2018 at 12:58 pm
"A triangular design also opens the door for individuals to circumvent the power structure."
Actaully it shrinks it. The power structure is 3 individuals under Murphy. If the 3 individuals aren't creating a consensus Murphy gets involved.
Coldworld
January 09, 2018 at 06:32 pm
Which is a power structure of one in practice.
Richard Smith
January 09, 2018 at 01:01 pm
Relax guys. There's not a power structure that isn't open to problems or power struggles occurring. Just like any job, integrity and communication are key to making it work. Obviously, there were problems that came up with the former set up, and the changes may be the answer. I'm sure everyone will do their jobs to the best of their ability or jobs will be in jeopardy. The only difference, now, is Murphy can be held accountable. Also, there is a reason McCarthy is still the HC. I don't think they are going to screw with him gameplans or personnel decisions. However, he will have to be a little bit more aware of playing favorites, because he could be axed also. It will work because all parties involved know it has to. Or else.
Richard Smith
January 09, 2018 at 01:01 pm
Relax guys. There's not a power structure that isn't open to problems or power struggles occurring. Just like any job, integrity and communication are key to making it work. Obviously, there were problems that came up with the former set up, and the changes may be the answer. I'm sure everyone will do their jobs to the best of their ability or jobs will be in jeopardy. The only difference, now, is Murphy can be held accountable. Also, there is a reason McCarthy is still the HC. I don't think they are going to screw with him gameplans or personnel decisions. However, he will have to be a little bit more aware of playing favorites, because he could be axed also. It will work because all parties involved know it has to. Or else.
Bure9620
January 09, 2018 at 01:08 pm
I realize many believe the new structure is a mistake but allow me to respond...... With a talented staff, a clear understand of if Individual responsibilities, collaboratove communication and egos checked at the door, the structure does not matter.
One of the reasons why this can work is I believe Gutekunst has humility and wants to listen to McCarthy and his scouts. In turn, McCarthy wants to be able to make suggestions and relay issues he sees to perssonel without hearing crickets. This structure would NOT be possible with TT. Hence the move. I feel this is forward thinking on Murphy's part and frankly I was surprised to hear of it. This is not just change for changes sake but for a reason. I also like to see Murphy more involved. Were many of you not criticizing Murphy for all his focus being on theme parks and revenue anyway?
The only issue I can foresee would be the Russ Ball dynamic with BG. Maybe BG tries to go after a moderately priced FA and Ball denies it financially?? "Sorry, can't make it work" or refuses to sign players to 2nd deals? That is my only concern.
fthisJack
January 09, 2018 at 01:50 pm
after watching MM coaching decisions over the past 7 years....i don't know why he's allowed free reign on his coaching staff. Gutekunst should have the power to hire and fire coaches. and MM should report to him not Murphy.
Razer
January 09, 2018 at 02:29 pm
Simple and direct - I like it. Gutekunst got endorsed as GM then was promptly handcuffed in running the team. So he is stuck with whoever Murphy wants to coach the team.
Coldworld
January 09, 2018 at 06:34 pm
Yes, unless you consider a GM without final authority to be an assistant GM in practice.
pacman
January 09, 2018 at 02:30 pm
How could a structure that has the GM have final say over who is on the team and HC coaches those players work to win a SB? Eg: TT as GM worried too much about $ and let some good players walk while keeping an inept backup QB. The HC has (should have) no goal other than winning. Sometimes these 2 conflict. Why should this type of GM get the final say. Seems correct for the CEO to sometimes be the arbiter between these competing goals. If the GM and HC are fighting too much, he will have to fire one of them. Seems logical to me.
D.D.Driver
January 09, 2018 at 05:45 pm
"How could a structure that has the GM have final say over who is on the team and HC coaches those players work to win a SB?"
Don't know "how" it works. But I know that it does work. I know that Ron Wolf insisted on this arrangement.
Coldworld
January 09, 2018 at 07:03 pm
As with all management structures (as written or as actually operating), it works when the people within it work well together.
Ultimately neither the old or the new structure are new or inherently superior.
The new one, however, injects a new person not explicitly hired to lead football operations right at the top of those activities: M Murphy. He is no longer above the fray, acting only to ensure it is functioning and the GM is performing adequately : his role prior to the changes
That is interesting as is the fact there is no whisper of any Board approval or even involvement ir awareness in it. One assumes Murphy would have at least notified them, but I don’t know that.
Was Murphy chosen with this level of involvement in mind. Was he interviewed as a GM to determine if he would be a good fit as final arbiter when hired or subsequently? I don’t know. I suspect not. These questions regarding the power shift are perhaps in some ways more significant.
If the BoD was involved, why not communicate that as a sign of wider consensus. If it wasn’t, who will hold Murphy to account and ensure responsibility is correctly apportioned?
All in all, given the cited lack of internal communication over years, why is Murphy given a pass? Was he unaware? Is that excusable. Wasn’t he the policeman before he took control?
In the end, none of this means the result must be good or bad on the field, but it does raise questions about the custodianship of the Packers as an entity for me.