Sherman fired as Packers coach
Thompson says decision best for Packers 'in the long run'
By TOM SILVERSTEIN
Jan. 2, 2006
Mike Sherman was fired as coach of the Green Bay Packers this morning, a day after the end of a 4-12 season.
Packers general manager Ted Thompson made the announcement at a news conference at Lambeau Field.
"Seasons like this are never easy," Thompson said. "They require a lot of thought and consternation. But at the end of the day, I felt like we needed to go in a different direction. ... I do think in the long run, this is what's best for the Green Bay Packers."
Thompson said he had a "quiet and somber" conversation with Sherman this morning when he informed him of the decision.
He said he would begin interviewing potential replacements for Sherman this week.
With Brett Favre's future also in question, Thompson said that did not weigh into his decision. "Am I going to fire Brett Favre? No," Thompson said in response to a question. "But eventually Brett Favre will retire and go back to Mississippi. But that didn't have any sway in this particular situation."
Sherman ends six seasons in Green Bay with an overall record of 59-43 (.578), with seasons of 9-7, 12-4, 12-4, 10-6, 10-6 and 4-12. His teams were 2-4 in the playoffs.
Sherman was given a two-year contract extension by Thompson before this season, worth $3.2 million per year through 2007, but that ended up providing little job security.
After the Packers beat Mike Holmgren and the Seattle Seahawks yesterday to end a dismal season, Sherman addressed his tenuous future.
"Regardless of circumstances or situations, every coach is measured by wins and losses, and we fell short in that area," he said. "But I thought the guys gave what they had when they took the field, for the most part."
Sherman was hired in January of 2000 by then-GM Ron Wolf, after Ray Rhodes was fired after one season. Rhodes had taken over for Holmgren, who left for the Seahawks after six seasons in Green Bay.
When Wolf retired in 2001, he recommended to team president Bob Harlan that Sherman add the GM title. Sherman's dual role continued until after the 2004 season, when Thompson was hired to assume the general manager's job.
Complete coverage of this story will appear on JSOnline during the day and in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Tuesday morning.
