Mike Holmgren came to Green Bay as a highly touted offensive coordinator who guided the 49ers to multiple championships.
Holmgren also had a big task to fill in Green Bay as the team was coming off a decade where they only had 2 winning seasons and were looking for someone to turn the team around.
Not only did Holmgren do that, he changed the way people see the Packers today.
Earlier this week it was announced that Mike Holmgren was named a semi-finalist for induction by the Hall of Fame’s senior committee.
For all Holmgren has done for the Packers and for the teams that he coached afterwards, Holmgren deserves a spot in the NFL Hall of Fame.
In this article we’ll find out why he does deserve a spot in Canton.
Holmgren turned the Packers into winners in his first season
Holmgren turned a Packers team who had not won much in the 80’s to a team on the rise in his first season. He also did it was a second year QB, who was unproven at the time. Brett Favre made his first Pro Bowl that year and the Packers went from 4-12 in 1991 to 9-7 in just one year with Holmgren. They barely missed the playoffs that year but the winning would continue for the Packers during his time here.
Holmgren established winning in Green Bay
From 1992-1998, the Packers did not have one losing season under Holmgren. That is something that hadn’t been done in Green Bay since the legendary coach himself Vince Lombardi did during his tenure with the Packers. At worst the Packers finished with 9 wins. From 1993-1998 the Packers made the playoffs. Not only did Mike Holmgren bring back winning to Green Bay but he brought back playoff football back the Green Bay. He also brought back winning at Lambeau Field. From September of 1995 to October of 1998 , Packers didn’t lose a home game.
Bringing the Title back to Titletown
In 1996, Holmgren and the Packers brought the title back to Titletown. It had been 30 years since the Packers had won a championship but with Holmgren’s coaching and west coast offense clicking and Brett Favre having the best seasons he’s had, there was no stopping the Packers. For all of Holmgren’s work with the offense, he made the team better. He not only had a top ranked offense but a top ranked defense. Holmgren did this all within 5 years of arriving in Green Bay, one of the biggest and quickest turnarounds of a team that was accustomed to losing.
Turning around the Seattle Seahawks
Holmgren not only helped the Packers franchise; He helped a Seahawks team who was similar to the 80’s Packers in a way that they were accustom to not winning and making the playoffs. In his first season as Seahawks head coach, the team made the playoffs. Holmgren also took the Seahawks to the Super Bowl in 2005. Although they didn’t win, Holmgren established winning to the Seahawks franchise and turn the franchise around during his time in Seattle.
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