Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Nolan front-runner for Packers D-coordinator

Reports are circulating that former San Francisco head coach Mike Nolan is likely to be the Packers new defensive coordinator.

According to an article in the Green Bay Press Gazette, "Two NFL sources said Tuesday that coach Mike McCarthy appears likely to bring in Nolan to replace Bob Sanders, whose firing was announced Monday. One source said word at the Cactus Bowl, the all-star game for Division II seniors in Kingsville, Texas, is the move is all but done. Another said there appeared to be at least a 90 percent chance Nolan will join the Packers."

If Nolan is named as the coordinator, he will rejoin Packers head coach Mike McCarthy whom he hired as offensive coordinator with the 49ers.

Nolan has 11 years experience as an NFL defensive coordinator, which is obviously a plus. The Press-Gazette notes that, "As a head coach, Nolan had some problems with players on the offensive side of the ball, but as a defensive coordinator, he has a reputation for being a high-energy, optimistic leader whom players like."

This writer has also received information from a source with close connections to the Packers indicating, in so many words, that Nolan is the leading candidate and likely to be named soon as the new defensive coordinator.

You can read the Press-Gazette article here.