OTD in Wisconsin Sports History (January 28): Green Bay Packers Hire the Great Vince Lombardi as Head Coach and General Manager

During his time in Green Bay, which lasted from 1959-1967, Lombardi won five NFL Championships in seven years, including the first two Super Bowls. He coached numerous players to Hall of Fame careers, turning men into legends. Indeed, the Packers franchise would not have the aura or noteworthy history that it has if it were not for Lombardi.

And that Golden Era of Packers football began on this day, January 28, back in 1959.

Vince Lombardi Would Not Work for the Green Bay Packers Unless He Was Both Head Coach and General Manager

The 1958 Packers finished the season 1-10-1 under head coach Ray McLean and general manager Verne Lewellen. Green Bay had not had a winning record since a 6-5-1 season in 1947 (aside from two 6-6 seasons). The days of consistently competing for NFL Championships were a distant memory.

A change was needed, and the Packers found that change in Vince Lombardi, who was the offensive coordinator for the New York Giants from 1954-1958. However, he would only take the job of head coach if they also gave him the job and title of general manager.

When asked by reporters at the time why he wanted both jobs, Lombardi said:

“That’s the only way I’d take the job. I doubt if I would have come just as coach. This is a better challenge, a better opportunity. I’ll have to have a very fine staff and I’m sure I will.”

In regards to how he would run the team and change the culture of losing, Lombardi also said:

“My word will be final. I’ve never been connected with a losing team and I hope to instill a winning spirit in the Packers in a lot less than five years.”

True to his word, the 1959 Packers finished the year 7-5 for their first winning season in over a decade. In fact, Lombardi never had a losing season as a NFL head coach. The next year, 1960, the Packers went 8-4 and lost in the NFL Championship to the Philadelphia Eagles. It was to be the only playoff loss of Lombardi’s tenure with Green Bay.

Over the next seven seasons, 1961-1967, Lombardi led the Packers to five NFL titles.

He resigned as head coach following the Super Bowl II victory over the Oakland Raiders and then took the job as the head coach and general manager in Washington. The team went 7-5-2 in his first and only season as head coach. Like the 1959 Packers, it was their first winning season in over a decade.

Lombardi died of cancer before the 1970 season. A year later, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame and the Super Bowl trophy was given his name.