GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) - The Matt LaFleur era is underway in Green Bay.
"He was the most prepared candidate. It was obvious he did his research and knew about our roster and our coaches."
Packer President and CEO Mark Murphy introduced the team's 15th coach on Wednesday, saying LaFleur stood out among the group of 10 coaching candidates.
"He has experience, he is a coach's son, and I love that", Murphy said. "He had a unique combination of quiet confidence but also humility.
Murphy said LaFleur had the best interview and showed to be the best fit out of all of the candidates.
LaFleur says his philosophy as a coach is to lead, teach and inspire, and credited the coaches that we worked under as key teachers in his coaching development, especially Rams coach Sean Mcvay.
"Watching him empower everyone around him from the coaches to players and it really brings out the best in everybody."
He said coaching the Green Bay Packers is a dream come true.
"There is no place like gameday at Lambeau Field. I can't think of a greater place to be a head coach in this league."
LaFleur arrived in Green Bay Tuesday night.
LaFleur was called a GEM by Packer President Mark Murphy and General Manager Brian Gutekunst Wednesday.
Murphy said having the process start early with an in-season change was a big advantage in the search.
LaFleur was asked about his relationship with Aaron Rodgers and said he feels the two of them are starting off on the right page.
"We are committed to winning. He is a competitor and I can not wait to get started with him."
General Manager Brian Gutekunst said he had Rodgers call LaFleur before he was told he had the job.
Murphy said one thing that stood out to him was that he left a good job with the Rams to take on new responsibilities in Tennessee.
"It was a risk for him to leave, but he did it because he knew that it would help him become a head coach to take on the play-calling responsibilities. "
LaFleur said he would be the play caller next season, but has not committed to any staff changes at the time of the press conference.
He says that includes a decision on retaining Defensive Coordinator Mike Pettine.
"We have not sat down yet, but we will be doing that very soon."
Gutekunst said they wanted to make the process as simple as possible and simply wanted to find a man who could win.
LaFleur listed his goals as a coach.
"I want to develop a championship culture that is filled with high character people that are dedicated to becoming the best versions of themselves."
Murphy said the process included a couple of different committees, while he, Gutekunst and Russ Ball made the weekend tour to interview candidates.
Murphy did not speak directly about any of the other candidates but did take time to thank Joe Philbin for the work that he did in Green Bay and stepping up to finish the season.
"You will not find a better man than Joe Philbin."
LaFleur was joined by his parents, in-laws, his wife BreAnne and his two young sons Luke and Ty.
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