Delete that application to be Seahawks general manager — John Schneider is staying in town.
The Green Bay Packers Sunday hired an in-house candidate, Brian Gutekunst, to succeed Ted Thompson as general manager, ending speculation that the vacancy would draw Wisconsin native and former Packers employee Schneider from Seattle.
The Packers, in fact, sought an audience with Schneider last week, but the Seahawks reportedly denied permission. He was said to be highly regarded among Packers’ brass, including coach Mike McCarthy.
Instead, the Pack hired Gutekunst, 44, a 19-year veteran of the Packers front office who was considered a rising NFL star. In fact, NFL.com, which first reported the story, said Gutekunst was in Houston to interview for the Texans’ vacant GM job before the Packers got a deal done. A year ago he was rumored to be a front-runner for the 49ers vacancy filled by John Lynch.
Schneider was hired nine days after Pete Carroll was named coach in January 2010, and the tandem collaborated well enough to get the Seahawks to two Super Bowls and five consecutive appearances in the playoffs with at least one win.
But the streak ended this season. the disappointment inspired speculation that many coaches and players were in play for new gigs.
Carroll strongly denied a rumor he was going to retire, and also said Tuesday he was convinced that Schneider, who worked in Green Bay from 1993-96 and.again from 2002-10, would remain in Seattle.
2 Comments
I also would have been convinced that Schneider would remain in Seattle if I had knowledge that Paul would deny the Packers’ permission to speak. However, Art stated: “I’m sure that if GB solicits him, he will ask for permission from Paul
Allen, and Allen will grant it, perhaps with the proviso that he be
allowed to beat any offer. But there’s no way Allen would deny him a
chance to work for his hometown team again.”
I could of seen Schneider going to Green Bay if given permission and the Packers hiring him. However, an argument was made by another poster that the services here for his autistic son are top notch and that’s it’s probably best to stay rather than uproot for his child’s sake. Not that he couldn’t get great services in Green Bay or would prevent him from going elsewhere. However, I’m sure since he’s been here awhile, the connections he’s made with the tops in the medical field, and established relationships makes the decision to uproot much more difficult. Unless, of course, the Seahawks decide to part ways or he finds an opportunity that he just can’t pass up.