Jerry Montgomery passes on Texas A&M job to stay with Packers

GREEN BAY – Jerry Montgomery hadn’t been gone long when Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy brought him back to his staff.

Montgomery, the Packers' defensive front assistant for three seasons, was hired to coach on Jimbo Fisher’s staff at Texas A&M earlier this month. Montgomery declined to confirm whether he accepted a job with the Aggies, but was announced Wednesday as the Packers' defensive line coach, replacing Mike Trgovac.

“It’s been a little hectic,” Montgomery said, “but at the end of the day I had a great opportunity to go to a great program and be with a great coaching staff. I think A&M and coach Fisher are going to do really well there. At the end of the day, the best opportunity for me and my family was here in Green Bay. So I’m going to leave it at that, and just thankful for the opportunity to be here.”

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Montgomery said it was a “tough decision” to turn down the Aggies. He confirmed the position at Texas A&M was associate head coach and defensive line coach. Previously, Montgomery worked two seasons apiece at Oklahoma and Michigan.

Montgomery did not know Fisher previously, but said the chance to return to college football with an SEC program was enticing.

“I had an opportunity to go and be with Jimbo and those guys,” Montgomery said. “I think great staff, great people. They’ll have a lot of success. It was a tough decision.”

Montgomery left Oklahoma three years ago to develop as a coach in the NFL. He didn’t know at the time how the opportunity would come, but the chance to be an NFL position coach as too much to turn down.

With the Packers, Montgomery will inherit the only Pro Bowler on the Packers' defense. His defensive line is led by Mike Daniels, and also has emerging players in Kenny Clark and Dean Lowry.

“It was the right move for me and my family,” Montgomery said. “I got on a plane, got back and met with Coach. Now I’m here, and I’m excited to work with the guys. Love the room, love the outside of the room, and look forward to developing the young guys and getting them where the older guys are.”