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Offensive Coordinator
Fifth season in NFL
Fifth season with Packers
In his fifth year both with the Packers and in the NFL, Joe Philbin begins his first season as Green Bay's offensive coordinator.
Named to his new position by Head Coach Mike McCarthy on Jan. 15, 2007, he continued a rapid ascent up the professional coaching ladder. Philbin originally joined the Packers on Feb. 10, 2003, as assistant offensive line coach, then spent 2004 and '05 as tight ends/assistant offensive line coach, and was promoted to offensive line coach on Jan. 17, 2006.
Philbin's move from offensive line coach to offensive coordinator is intended to maintain continuity with the young offensive linemen and zone-blocking scheme. In 2006, Philbin oversaw a line that had three rookies - guards Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz and tackle/guard Tony Moll - combine for 38 starts and make steady and marked improvement with each passing week. Melding the new scheme with young, unproven talent, Philbin used his strengths as a teacher to develop a foundation up front for perhaps many years to come. The lineup was adjusted due to injuries as the Packers used five different starting combinations throughout the season but allowed only 24 sacks and improved their run production by gaining an additional half-yard per carry.
In 2005, Philbin's tight ends contributed to a Packers passing game hampered by numerous injuries. In the face of that adversity, Green Bay joined Tennessee as one of only two NFL teams to have three tight ends record as many as 25 receptions each. An exceptional teacher, Philbin effectively blended Donald Lee into the offense, despite the tight end's late preseason arrival. With veteran starter Bubba Franks battling injuries throughout the season and missing the first NFL games of his career, Lee finished fourth on the team in receiving with 33 catches for 294 yards and two touchdowns -- all career bests. Philbin also guided TE David Martin to career highs in receptions, yards and TDs.
Philbin's successful work reaped dividends in 2004 as Franks became second on the Packers' all-time tight ends touchdown list with 28. Franks recorded his second-best career yards-per-catch average (10.6) in 2004, up from 8.0 in 2003. Philbin's group in 2004 contributed to an offense that racked up more total net yards (6,357) and net yards passing (4,449) than any Packers team in the franchise's previous 83 NFL seasons. As proved in 2003, the line played an integral role in the NFL's third-ranked offense, including team marks for first downs (354), completions (382) and fewest sacks (14).
As assistant offensive line coach in 2003, Philbin's teaching played a role in the rushing offense as it improved to third in the NFL, up from 12th in 2002, proving to be one of the best lines in team history.
With 23 years of experience, including 19 in the college ranks, Philbin came to Green Bay after four seasons as offensive line coach at Iowa (1999-2002).
Under Philbin's stewardship, Iowa fielded one of college football's finest offensive lines in 2002, helping the Hawkeyes finish second in the Big Ten Conference in rushing (214.2 yards per game). In the process, three of Philbin's pupils -- guard Eric Steinbach, tackle Robert Gallery and center Bruce Nelson -- earned three of the five first-team All-Big Ten linemen spots. In addition, Steinbach earned consensus All-America honors. Steinbach (second round, Cincinnati), Nelson (second round, Carolina) and another Philbin charge, guard Ben Sobieski (fifth round, Buffalo), were selected in the 2003 NFL Draft. Gallery was all-conference again in '03 and went second overall (Oakland) in the '04 draft.
Philbin's 2001 crew helped the Hawkeyes lead the conference in scoring (32.6 points per game), third-down conversion percentage (48.7) and red zone offense, scoring on 47 of 52 possessions (90.4 percent). Iowa also was second in passing efficiency that season.
Prior to Iowa, Philbin served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Harvard (1997-98). Under his direction in 1997, the Crimson established 15 offensive records, including marks for total offense (4,236 yards) and first downs (217). Five members of his offensive squad earned All-Ivy League honors, including lineman Matt Birk, later a draft choice of the Minnesota Vikings who went on to earn numerous Pro Bowl berths.
Earlier, the Springfield, Mass., native was offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Northeastern University from 1995-96, helping the Huskies during the latter campaign to their first winning season in a decade.
Philbin spent four seasons (1990-93) at Allegheny College, serving as offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. During his tenure, the Gators earned postseason berths following the 1990, '91 and '93 seasons, highlighted by an NCAA Division III national championship in 1990. The 1990 and '91 squads celebrated undefeated regular seasons.
Philbin got his start during a two-year stint (1984-85) as a graduate assistant at Tulane. Tenures followed at Worcester Tech (1986-87) and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (1988-89). He also served the 1994 season as offensive line coach at Ohio University.
A tight end during his playing days at Washington & Jefferson College, Philbin earned his B.A. in sociology from the school in 1984, and his master's of education in administration and supervision from Tulane in 1986.
Born in Springfield, Mass., Philbin and his wife, Diane, live in Green Bay and have six children: sons, Matthew, 19, Michael, 16, John, 14, Kevin, 13, and Timothy, 11, and a daughter, Colleen, 6.
PHILBIN AT A GLANCE
- Originally joined Packers Feb. 10, 2003, as assistant offensive line coach; promoted to tight ends/assistant offensive line, Feb. 27, 2004. Promoted by Mike McCarthy to offensive line coach, Jan. 17, 2006, and to offensive coordinator, Jan. 15, 2007.
- Has 19 years of college coaching experience.
- Three pupils from his 2002 Iowa O-line were chosen in the 2003 NFL draft: G Eric Steinbach (second round, Cincinnati), C Bruce Nelson (second round, Carolina) and G Ben Sobieski (fifth round, Buffalo). Another player he coached, tackle Robert Gallery, was the second overall selection (Oakland) in the 2004 draft.
| Year | College/Pro Team | Position Coached |
| 1984-85 | Tulane | Graduate Assistant |
| 1986-87 | Worcester Tech | Offensive Line |
| 1988-89 | U.S. Merchant Marine Academy | Offensive Line |
| 1990-93 | Allegheny College | Off. Coordinator/Off. Line |
| 1994 | Ohio University | Offensive Line |
| 1995-96 | Northeastern University | Off. Coordinator/Off. Line |
| 1997-98 | Harvard | Off. Coordinator/Off. Line |
| 1999-2002 | Iowa | Offensive Line |
| 2003 | Green Bay Packers | Asst. Offensive Line |
| 2004-05 | Green Bay Packers | Tight Ends/Asst. Offensive Line |
| 2006 | Green Bay Packers | Offensive Line |
| 2007 | Green Bay Packers | Offensive Coordinator |