Former UW-L player, coach now Packers GM

The Green Bay Packers new general manager has ties to La Crosse.

Brian Gutekunst played football for two seasons at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, before a shoulder injury ended his career. He kept with the program afterward, and became a linebacker’s coach, which included in 1995, when the Eagles won a national championship.
The 44-year-old will take over for long time GM Ted Thompson. Gutekunst, who has spent 19 years in the organization, was the head of the personnel department and was set to interview with the Houston Texans but Green Bay made their offer first.
Thompson will work in the scouting department. Thompsons first-ever NFL draft selection was Aaron Rodgers. Now it’s Gutekunst’s turn.
Gutekunst’s hiring came one day after Green Bay’s request to interview Seattle Seahawks GM John Schneider was denied. Schneider was a De Pere, Wis., native, who started his career in the Packers front office from 1993-96, and was back gain from 2002-10 under Ron Wolf.
Other potential moves include vice president of football administration/finance Russ Ball handling salary cap and contract negotiations. Wolf’s son, Eliot, could be promoted from director of football operations to Gutekunst’s top lieutenant in personnel.