Despite serving almost two decades in the collegiate coaching ranks, Joe Philbin said he never seriously pursued a position in the National Football League until this one.

Monday, GM/Head Coach Mike Sherman named Philbin the Packers' assistant offensive line coach, replacing Pat Ruel, who accepted the head offensive line coaching position with the Buffalo Bills, Jan. 21.

"If you grow up watching the NFL, being part of the Green Bay Packers organization is too good an opportunity to pass up," Philbin said Monday evening via teleconference from Iowa City, where he was wrapping his four-year tenure as head offensive line coach at the University of Iowa.

Philbin's vast experience with collegiate athletes should serve him well in Green Bay, where his primary duty will be developing younger players and getting them acclimated to the NFL.

Two times in the past three years Philbin was among the college coaches who visited the Packers' training camp to learn from the coaching techniques and came away impressed.

"I think the Packers are widely regarded as the premier franchise in the National Football League and I just consider it an honor to be a part of that great tradition," Philbin said. "I'm really looking forward to being a part of their staff and working with Coach Sherman and Coach (Larry) Beightol in particular.

"I couldn't be any more delighted."

Philbin is expected to join the coaching staff in Green Bay this Thursday.