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James Campen, the team's starting center in the early '90s, has returned to the Green Bay Packers as assistant offensive line/quality control coach, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Friday.
Campen, who started 42 of 48 Green Bay games from 1990-92, replaces Joe Philbin, promoted Friday to tight ends coach/assistant offensive line. Campen in his new position will primarily assist offensive line coach Larry Beightol.
"James Campen obviously was a former player for the Packers," Sherman said, "and totally understands the high expectations of this organization. He did an outstanding job in his interview of demonstrating his teaching prowess. I am excited to have him join the Packers. He has shown as a player and also in his recent coaching experiences to have a tireless work ethic. I believe he will relate well to our offensive linemen and team."
The 39-year-old Campen, joins the Packers after a successful five-year tenure as a head high school football coach in his native Northern California.
Green Bay's starting center Sept. 27, 1992, vs. Pittsburgh, Campen literally launched Brett Favre's current 189-game starting streak, an NFL record among quarterbacks.
A Plan B addition from the New Orleans Saints in 1989, Campen played in 15 games for Green Bay that '89 season, then took over as the starter at center in 1990, starting all 16 games and grading out as the most consistent member of the offensive line. He also was named to the USA Today All-Pro team following his quality campaign.
Campen, a Tulane alumnus, went on to play in 13 games in both 1991 and 1992, missing three contests in '91 because of a calf injury, and three others in '92 with a strained knee. His playing career came to an end in 1993 when he suffered a torn hamstring injury in Week 4 at Dallas (Oct. 3) and later underwent season-ending surgery.
Campen broke into the National Football League by talking his way into a free-agent contract with the New Orleans Saints in 1986 after going undrafted. Waived during training camp, he made the New Orleans roster in 1987 on his second try and started three games for the Saints. He subsequently was active for 12 games in 1988, playing in three.
A two-year starter at Tulane after beginning his collegiate career at Sacramento (Calif.) City Junior College, Campen rejoins the Packers after a strong run as head football coach at Ponderosa High School in Shingle Springs, Calif. In five seasons at Ponderosa, his prep alma mater, he was 29-20-1 overall, competing in the Sierra Valley Conference, one of the most competitive high school leagues in the state. As a Ponderosa student-athlete, he earned two letters in football and three in wrestling.
Possessor of a B. A. degree in criminal justice, Campen served as a reserve deputy sheriff in New Orleans and volunteered with the Green Bay Police Department in a similar capacity while a Packers player.
James and his wife, Charlene, have two daughters, Kirstie and Kaley, and make their home in Rescue, Calif. He will officially begin his duties in Green Bay Monday.