Jeff Hafley from Boston College is hired by the Packers as their defensive coordinator.
The Green Bay Packers on Wednesday said that Jeff Hafley, the head coach of Boston College, would be their new defensive coordinator. “A lot of things which he went to college to have disappeared.”
In a statement, Packers coach Matt LaFleur said, “We are excited about welcoming Jeff, his wife Gina, and their daughters Hope and Leah to the Packers or the Green Bay community.”
Jeff has been a successful coach at every job he has held. He has a great track record of helping players grow at every level. We’re excited for him to be in charge of our defense.
In his four years at Boston College, Hafley led the Eagles through bowling eligibility three times, with records of 22–26. This season, Boston College went 7-6, and in the Fenway Bowl, they beat No. 22 SMU.
Hafley had turned down previous offers to coach in the NFL. But he’s taking this job as coordinator because he wants to work for one the NFL’s most respected teams and because college football in general is in bad shape.
A source told ESPN, “He wants to go guide football again in a league that is all about football.” “College coaching has turned into raising money, not coaching, recruiting your own team, and letting players move on.” It’s no longer possible to coach football.
This year, Hafley is the third college head football coach to quit on his own to take a job as a coordinator. He comes after Kane Wommack of South Alabama and Maurice Linguist of Buffalo.
Both of them took jobs as coordinators at Alabama. These moves show how the top schools are pulling resources away from the rest of the schools.
He was very interested in the Packers’ future because they’ve got a strong group of young players and a bright future. He has known LaFleur for a long time and has always liked the Packers.
He will take over for Joe Barry and be LaFleur’s third different defensive coordinator in his sixth year as head coach of the team.
That’s even more important now that name, image, and likeness deals are so important for keeping players and getting new ones.
Even though LaFleur and Hafley have never worked together directly, they know each other through other people.
In 2014–15, Hafley was the defensive backs coach for the Browns under head coach Mike Pettine. Pettine would go on to be LaFleur’s first defensive assistant in Green Bay (2019–2021).
LaFleur learned a lot from 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, who Hafley also worked for. Before becoming Ohio State’s co-defensive coordinator, Hafley coached the 49ers’ defensive backs from 2016 to 2018.
Matt LaFleur, the coach of the Green Bay Packers, has hired Jeff Hafley, the head coach of Boston College, to be their defensive coordinator. Hafley will help them build a defense that can win the Super Bowl.
Pete Thamel of ESPN was the first to report the news, which was later confirmed by a source.
LaFleur said, “We are thrilled to have Jeff, his wife Gina, and their two daughters, Hope and Leah, join the Packers as well as the Green Bay area.”
Jeff has been a successful coach at every job he has held. He has a great track record of helping players grow at every level. We’re excited for him to be in charge of our defense.
“I loved going to Boston College for four years.” The facilities, the support from University and BC fans, and the high quality of the athletes we recruit make this a great place to coach.
I will miss those players who gave so much over the last four years. My wife Gina and I will also miss the people of British Columbia and all the friends we’ve made here.