Mike Holmgren restored the Packers’ pride and turned the lowly Seahawks into a respected and perennial playoff contender.

The challenge he just accepted could be the most difficult of his career.

Holmgren was hired Monday as president of the Browns. They haven’t won a playoff game since 1994, haven’t reached the postseason since 2002 and have lost at least 10 games in eight of 11 years since returning to the league.

He obviously isn’t scared by an extreme makeover.

“The challenge of rebuilding is kind of in my blood,” he said last week on a radio show. “It’s just kind of how you’re wired.”

The difference for Holmgren in this situation is his role. He will be the man calling the shots and making all the big decisions.

He proved he could coach - 12 playoff appearances, three Super Bowls, one title - but he must show he can run a football department.

“He brings credibility immediately to the organization,” NFL Network analyst and former coach Mike Martz said. “All of the players are going to want to stay and be a part of a team that’s moving into the upper echelon.

“It’s that type of tough leadership, that strong personality that they have not had there, that can organize and create a winning team.”

Holmgren is expected in Cleveland by Monday and could make an appearance at the game Sunday against the Raiders. He can’t afford to wait until 2010 arrives to get to work. He’s got too much to do.

Here are a few of the biggest issues facing the “Big Show.”

The right GM

The Browns have 11 draft picks in April, plenty of holes to fill in the depth chart and could be dealing with a season with no salary cap. They must have the right person in place to begin collecting better talent.

Holmgren might be that person, and that’s the first thing he and owner Randy Lerner should’ve decided when they were finalizing the contract details. His job description has yet to be released.

Holmgren spent his first four years with the Seahawks (1999-2002) in the dual role of general manager/coach. He got mixed reviews as GM and remained coach, where he has built a resume worthy of Hall of Fame consideration.

The place to start an evaluation of a general manager is the draft. Holmgren found gems in running back Shaun Alexander (No. 19 pick, 9,453 career yards) and guard Steve Hutchinson (No. 17 pick, six-time All-Pro), but missed on three of his other four first-rounders. The mention of Lamar King, Koren Robinson and Jerramy Stevens turns stomachs in the Pacific Northwest.

Holmgren was willing to mix it up on the trade front, making five deals in the first round in four years. The most noteworthy deal brought quarterback Matt Hasselbeck from Green Bay, and he turned into a three-time Pro Bowler under Holmgren’s tutelage.

Holmgren may decide it’d be wiser for him to set up an organizational structure and oversee the general manager. In that case, he needs to find the best talent evaluator available and hire him.

Mangini’s future

Coach Eric Mangini’s job has been hanging in the balance for months it seems.

Well, decision day is about 10 days away.

Holmgren should spend next week finding out all he can about Mangini and his operation. He should attend meetings, watch practice and review the game films. He should then talk to people in the building - players, front-office types and support staff.

The issues with Mangini go beyond the 3-11 record, and Holmgren needs to know if they’re enough to prevent him from bringing back Mangini.

Even if Holmgren’s impressed, it still might not be enough for Mangini to see a second year. The two have large egos and are entrenched in their philosophies, which just so happen to clash.

Holmgren loves the West Coast offense and prefers a 4-3 defense. Mangini’s never run the West Coast offense and is married to the 3-4 defense.

Holmgren gives players latitude; Mangini rules with an iron fist. Mangini sacrifices talent for intelligence and character, while Holmgren doesn’t seem as quick to make that compromise.

Plenty of opportunities for shouting matches, lines drawn in the sand and franchise friction. None of which are needed on the ground floor of a franchise renovation.

The back-to-back wins could be a sign that Mangini’s program is beginning to take hold and that he’s got the team headed in the right direction. But it isn’t likely he’ll get the chance to prove that. Instead, he’ll be one and done and collect the last three years and $11.7 million of his deal.

Of course, Holmgren could buck conventional wisdom and decide it’s only fair to give Mangini another year. But if he doesn’t, his next task will be …

Picking a partner

Holmgren’s Big Show nickname has meaning. He’s got a large body, a bigger presence and doesn’t mind being the center of attention. It will take a certain type of coach to deal with the large shadow.

But Holmgren can’t just choose a yes man with no fortitude or vision. He needs to find a partner to complement him and carry out his grand plan. That guy also must be strong enough to command the respect of 53 guys in a locker room, and secure enough to take a back seat to the boss.

Holmgren comes from the Bill Walsh tree, and there are a million competent branches. Andy Reid left Holmgren in Green Bay for Philadelphia and has become one of the league’s best coaches. Holmgren needs to find the next Andy Reid.

The respect for Holmgren throughout the NFL is substantial, so he shouldn’t have trouble compiling a solid list of candidates and the staff to match.

Expertise required

Holmgren refined Joe Montana and Steve Young. He turned a no-name from Mississippi into Brett Favre. He nurtured Hasselbeck from sixth-round draft pick to playoff quarterback. Who’s next?

The Browns have been looking for a franchise quarterback since they returned in 1999. That guy is almost as important as the president and general manager, so Holmgren must apply his knowledge of the position and deliver yet again.

Brady Quinn looks like a fit for the West Coast offense, because he likes to throw short and make quick decisions. But his accuracy has been awful, and that’s requirement No. 1 in the West Coast scheme. Derek Anderson has a stronger arm, but the same accuracy issues.

Holmgren might have to go off the roster to get the guy he can develop into the long-term answer.

Money matters

With Joshua Cribbs, it’s easy. Pay the man.

Cribbs is having another Pro Bowl season and has developed into much more than an ace special teamer. He’s easily one of the team’s top three players and has had a significant impact on offense.

But Cribbs isn’t the only key player looking for a new contract.

Linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, safety Brodney Pool and running back Jerome Harrison are at the end of their rookie contracts, and Holmgren doesn’t have much time to decide if he wants them back and what they’re worth. Jackson and Pool are on injured reserve and Harrison came out of nowhere to rush for 286 yards Sunday, all of which complicate matters.

Kicker Phil Dawson has been waiting somewhat impatiently for a contract extension for a year and will surely make his wishes known.

These are decisions that are made by a president. The players and the city will get an early understanding of Holmgren’s philosophy and what he values.

Contact Scott Petrak at 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.

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