Perles Turns Down Green Bay Coaching Job

George Perles, who coached Michigan State to a Rose Bowl victory, turned down the Green Bay Packers Thursday to remain at his alma mater.

Perles, in a statement issued by the university, said the chance to land his first head coaching job in the NFL was a “challenge I wanted in the worst way.”

Perles added, however: “When it came time to make the decision to actually tell people at MSU that I was leaving, I got cold feet and simply couldn’t get myself to make the move.”

His decision ended 24 hours of speculation in which reports characterized Perles’ acceptance of the reported 5-year, $1.8-million offer as a sure thing.

Perles, who served as a defensive assistant from 1972-81 for the Pittsburgh Steelers when they won four Super Bowl championships, made his announcement after huddling with friends and Michigan State Athletic Director Doug Weaver and President John DiBiaggio Wednesday night.