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Packers promote Clements

GREEN BAY — The Green Bay Packers didn’t have to look far to find their new offensive coordinator, promoting quarterbacks coach Tom Clements to replace Joe Philbin.

Clements has coached the Packers’ quarterbacks since 2006, Mike McCarthy’s first year in Green Bay. Philbin left to become the Miami Dolphins’ head coach last month.

“Tom has been an integral part of our success and our staff, making it an obvious decision to promote him to offensive coordinator,” McCarthy said in a statement. “He has earned this opportunity and we look forward to continued offensive success in 2012.”

The offensive-minded McCarthy calls his own plays, but relies on his offensive coordinator to plan during the week and help make adjustments during games.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has gone out of his way to credit Clements for helping his development. Clements’ name was linked to open jobs in the NFL and college football in recent months.

“I’m happy that it’s happened and I’m happy for Joe that he’s a head coach, and I’m glad I was able to step into his place,” Clements said. “I’ve been a coordinator before, only for a few years. I’ve always wanted to get back to doing that and I’m thankful that it’s here in Green Bay.”

Before coming to Green Bay, Clements was the Buffalo Bills’ offensive coordinator from 2004-05.

Clements has 19 seasons of coaching experience, including 15 in the NFL.

He was a three-year starter at quarterback for Notre Dame, guiding the Irish to a national championship in 1973. He played 12 seasons in the Canadian Football League.

Clements earned a law degree from Notre Dame in 1986 and practiced law for five years before beginning his coaching career as an assistant with the Irish.

Clements has been quarterbacks coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2001-03), Kansas City Chiefs (2000) and New Orleans Saints (1997-99).

Under Clements, Rodgers has passed 17,037 yards in his first four seasons as a starter.

In 2011, Rodgers set the NFL single-season record for passer rating (122.5) and set team records with 45 touchdown passes, 4,643 yards passing and a 68.3 completion percentage.

Clements has also helped develop backup Matt Flynn, who is expected to draw interest from other teams looking for a new starter in the offseason.

“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Clements said. “We have a young team. We’ve had success over the past couple of years. We still have a lot of room to grow, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”