Fresh Start With Bart: Championship Quarterback to Lead Packers

Dec. 24, 1974 – Christmas comes a day early for the Packers as Bart Starr is named head coach and general manager of the team. Starr, who led Green Bay to five NFL championships as a quarterback during the 1960s, asks for patience. “I’m absolutely ecstatic about this opportunity,” says Starr who served as the club’s quarterback coach in 1972. “And I want to thank the Executive Committee for giving it to me. I’m humbled by it, but I’m not awed by it. I ask for the prayers and the patience of all Packer fans. We will earn everything else.” As to filling out a coaching staff, Starr says: “What I hope to do is surround myself with people from diverse backgrounds, who can challenge you with their ideas.”