Green Bay Packers become Mike McCarthy's second family 
BY MIKE VANDERMAUSE MVANDERMAUSE@GREENBAYPRESSGAZETTE.COM AUGUST 31, 2010

Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy is looking forward to having dinner Wednesday night with his oldest daughter, Alex, on the day before the Packers play the Chiefs in their final preseason game.

Alex will be a freshman this fall at Kansas in nearby Lawrence, and McCarthy said he will relish the time he can spend away from football, if only for a few hours.

Im kind of excited to go down to Kansas and see her dorm room and things like that, McCarthy said. This is neat.

McCarthy works in an all-consuming profession and has learned that if hes not careful, it can swallow him and his family up.

You feel guilty about the time youre away from your family, he said. It gets harder the older you get.

Its a selfish profession, it really is.

In his younger years as an assistant coach, McCarthy admits he struggled to separate his work and home life. Hes getting more adept at that and thinks it makes him a better coach.

Theres always something for me to do at work that I think would probably make me better, but you can also overdo it, and be paralysis from analysis, too, he said. Ive seen that go on.

While McCarthy isnt a micro-manager, he holds his staff and players accountable.

I think thats what I do, which makes me able to go home and sleep better at night, he said. And then when Im with my family, its all family.

Thats not to say McCarthy has mellowed as he prepares for his fifth season as head coach. Some of his angry outbursts during training camp could be heard loud and clear all the way across Ray Nitschke Field and into the stands. He is a stickler for detail, and when things arent performed up to those high standards, players would be wise to reach for earplugs.

Coach likes practice to look a certain way, quarterback Aaron Rodgers said. When it doesnt, were going to hear about it.

I can read his body language pretty well and know when hes about to have an outburst. And then sometimes I try to sneak in there and maybe say something before he does so he doesnt have to use any colorful metaphors with fans watching.

Linebacker Nick Barnett thinks McCarthys anger has been evident more often this year, and for a good reason.

I think hes a little hungrier this year, Barnett said. Its that time. I think he knows he has a talented team. Its his responsibility for us to get where were supposed to be. Hes to the point right now where he wants to get a championship.

A little yelling wont change the players attitude toward McCarthy. They respect and appreciate him because hes consistent and approachable.

If youve got consistency from your head man, thats big, said defensive lineman Ryan Pickett.

Hes cool. Hes a players coach. Players love him. You can go to him, talk to him about anything. You can joke with him. Hes going to ask you about your family, kids.

Barnett played his first three seasons for Mike Sherman and said McCarthy is more connected to the players.

Ive had the pleasure of having talks with him every now and then out there on the field, just talking about life, his family and where he lives and that type of stuff, said Barnett of McCarthy. Cool guy. You can relate to him and you can feel comfortable talking to him. Hopefully that never changes. When Sherman was here, you didnt really feel like you could have a conversation with him. It feels good to have a coach you can talk to.

Rodgers wouldnt even consider going to McCarthys office to talk because that setting is too formal.

Hes definitely still the big boss, but weve developed a good friendship that allows us to talk a little more evenly, Rodgers said.

We talk and see eye to eye. Theres no looking up to the throne.

If the players like McCarthy, the feeling is mutual. Its no coincidence McCarthy relates more to his players now than in his first season in 2006.

I really like the people on our team, McCarthy said. I know more about them. I know the players better than I did back then. Any head coach goes through that. Youre so focused in the early years of getting your structure and program the way you want it, youre not as interested in what they think.

McCarthy is a big believer in reaching out to his players.

I think that makes me a better coach, and I think that it makes them better players, he said. Weve been able to grow with some of these players over the last 4 years.

McCarthy is ready to go to battle with these players, even if he occasionally has to raise his voice.

I would take this team anywhere, play anybody, anytime, he said.

Mike Vandermause is sports editor of the Press-Gazette.