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Few NFL coaches have had as many successful assistants as former Green Bay Packers coach Mike Holmgren. His coaching tree is well-documented, with names from Steve Mariucci to Mike McCarthy all ending up in prominent head-coaching jobs of their own. But the tide has shifted, and with many of those former Holmgren assistants aging out of the jobs, only a few remain.
Now, the hot NFL coaching tree belongs to Mike Shanahan, particularly from his tenure in Washington. It’s odd, since his four-year stint there resulted in 24 wins and 40 losses along with just one playoff berth. But three of his assistants at that time are now head coaches, with a fourth adding a branch off the Sean McVay tree.
Shanahan’s influence remains strong, as it was his tenacity and work ethic that stick with the Packers’ current coach to this day. Today’s curds take a close look at that tree and what other qualities remain essential to Matt LaFleur.
Eight years, three teams - How Kyle Shanahan and Matt LaFleur got here together | ESPN.com
The Mike Shanahan influence runs deep with these two head coaches -- obviously for his son Kyle, but perhaps less so for Matt LaFleur. But LaFleur credits the elder Shanahan as being the person who instilled his toughness and work ethic in him.
Mike Holmgren eyes evolution of West Coast offense with Packers | Packersnews.com
In many ways, the Shanahan tree is similar to that of Holmgren, who had countless assistants go on to NFL head coaching jobs. Both men fostered collaboration and creativity in their assistants, and it's interesting to see how the coaches on opposite sidelines during Super Bowl XXXII have influenced offensive football in the NFL over the past two-plus decades.
History lesson: Can Packers QB Aaron Rodgers name all 37 players he’s thrown touchdown passes to? – The Athletic
If you don't have an Athletic subscription, this might be the time to get one. This piece is hilarious, with Tim Boyle and a handful of other locker room people pitch in to help Rodgers get the last few.
Allen Lazard aims to be steady, reliable target for post-bye Packers | Packers.com
It's time for the Alien Lizard Takeover and I, for one, welcome it.
Old School Game of the Week: "Majik Man" Leads Packers to Upset Win over 49ers | The Old School Sports Blog
The Cardiac Pack of 1989 had a crazy victory over San Francisco in that absurd season. Here's a look back at that game.
Suspected drunk driver had fake Wisconsin plates made from Hamm's beer box, police say | FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul
I can say with certainty that this was not me. If I were going to do something stupid in a car that involves Hamm's, I'd prefer to duplicate this great commercial from the 1970s.