The Green Bay Packers have named Joe Philbin assistant offensive line coach, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman announced Monday.
Philbin, who has spent 19 years in the coaching ranks, comes to the Packers from the University of Iowa, where he had served as offensive line coach the past four seasons (1999-2002). He replaces Pat Ruel, who resigned Jan. 21 to become the offensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills.
"Joe has done an outstanding job during his tenure at Iowa of establishing the Hawkeyes' offensive line as one of the best in college football," Sherman said in making the announcement. "He is an excellent teacher and should be a big plus in assisting Larry Beightol."
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 at 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 and likely will be a first-round pick in this April's NFL draft. Philbin's two other starters garnered postseason honors as well, tackle David Porter earning second-team All-Big Ten accolades and guard Andy Lightfoot earning first-team academic All-America honors.
Philbin's 2001 crew helped the Hawkeyes lead the league 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 the conference in passing efficiency that season.
Prior to coaching at Iowa, the 41-year-old Philbin served as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach for two seasons 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 earned Pro Bowl berths following the 2000, '01 and '02 seasons.
"Joe's experience at Harvard should enhance his ability to communicate with our highly-intelligent offensive line," Sherman quipped.
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 at Allegheny College (1990-93), 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. Under Philbin's tutelage, Stan Drayton, now the Packers' quality control assistant/special teams-offense, was a three-time, first-team All-America selection (1990-92) at running back.
Philbin got his start in the coaching profession during a two-year stint as a graduate assistant at Tulane University (1984-85). Tenures followed at Worcester Tech (1986-87 - offensive line) and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (1988-89 - offensive line). 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 Masters of Education in administration and supervision from Tulane in 1986.
Born July 2, 1961, in Springfield, Mass., Philbin and his wife, Diane, have six children: sons, Matthew, Michael, John, Kevin and Timothy, and a daughter, Colleen.
COACHING BACKGROUND:
1984-85 - Tulane, Graduate Assistant
1986-87 - Worcester Tech, Offensive Line
1988-89 - U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Offensive Line
1990-93 - Allegheny College, Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator
1994 - Ohio University, Offensive Line
1995-96 - Northeastern University, Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
1997-98 - Harvard, Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line
1999-2002 - Iowa, Offensive Line
2003 - Green Bay Packers, Asst. Offensive Line
