GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Thanking his family, coaches and players he has worked with, Mike McCarthy officially took over as Packers head coach Thursday afternoon.

His hiring comes nine days after Mike Sherman was fired.

After interviewing seven candidates, Packers general manager Ted Thompson settled on McCarthy to be the new head coach.

Thompson and McCarthy agreed on a three-year deal.

McCarthy was the Packers' quarterbacks coach in 1999 under Ray Rhodes and built a good relationship with Brett Favre.

McCarthy was the New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator from 2000-2004 and held the same position with the San Francisco 49ers last season.

Although McCarthy has never been a head coach on any level, neither Mike Holmgren nor Mike Sherman were head coaches before becoming the Packers' coach.

McCarthy is well versed in the West Coast offense, which has been a Green Bay staple since 1992.

When asked if he would call his own plays, McCarthy said, "Possibly, yes... It is a question I will answer in the future."

The new coach said that he is dedicated to bring a world championship back to Green Bay.

McCarthy apparently made a strong impression on Thompson, not only in the interview, but when they both worked for Green Bay in 1999.

At 42 years old, McCarthy is the youngest head coach in the NFL.

Thompson said that Packers defensive coordinator Jim Bates, who was a candidate for the job, was disappointed.

Reaction

What kind of coach is McCarthy? Some of the men who worked with him in Green Bay in 1999 reacted Thursday.

"When he would be out there, players would listen to him. He did very many positive things when he came to putting in game plans," 1999 Packers wide receiver Bill Schroeder said.

"There's a a lot of similarities between him and Mike Sherman as far as being very analytical. He knows the offense inside and out from the offensive line protection to blocking schemes," Packers 1999 assistant coach Harry Sydney said.

"I think this is what this team needs -- needs a guy who can relate to the players, I think better than Sherman did," Packers 1999 tight end Mark Chmura said.