Joe Whitt Jr is available too. I think he interviewed for the Dallas Cowboys DC job.

Other names I've read bounced around.

Wade Phillips
Jim Leonhard
Mike Smith
Kris Richard
Mike Caldwell
Jim Haslett

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Id take phillips

Jim Leonhard would be my pick. If they can get him.

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This is going to be an interesting pick as it's going to be a big reflection on MLF. Pettine was a holdover that came with the job and now it's all on MLF. Phillips seems like the safest choice with the LA Rams connection/known ability to come in and gets quick returns. Whitt Jr probably got the most mileage out of guys compared to other D position coaches during his time in Green Bay and could really help the secondary. Haslett is a name that's bounced around the NFL a lot but I'm not sure about how defensive units under him faired. The rest of the guys I don't know much about.

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I really enjoyed Wade Phillips scheme back in the day, but didn't McVay (LaFleur very good friend) fire him because he wouldn't adjust his scheme? I think Phillips NFL career is done, he had the perfect setup with the Rams... and Packers don't currently have the DL nor CBs for his scheme.

Other options

Jerry Gray (Packers defensive backs coach)

Mike Smith (Packers outside linebackers coach)

Kris Richard, former Seahawks DC.

Jerod Mayo, Patriots star ILB turned defensive coach. And while former Patriots head coaches have not faired well, former Patriots turned defensive coordinators have down pretty well.

Marvin Lewis, did great with what he was given, even if the Bengals GM was completely shitty at his job (Bengals GM is their owner)

Stephen Belichick, Bill's son and has basically coached all over the defense.

Teryl Austin was the coordinator of some good Lions defenses between 2014 and 2018. He's been a top assistant for the Steelers defense the last two seasons and could be ready for a return to leading a defense.


I think I'd prefer someone from the Vic Fangio or Belichick coaching trees.

No idea, where LaFleur will go with this one. I was kinda hoping the Broncos or Titans would fire their head coaches should we need a new DC and try to hire them, etc.

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Already conducting interviews

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We have to root for a name that blends well with "Fire". FireCapers rolled off the tongue smooth. FirePettine did as well. Maybe everything will? Anyhow, it is a requirement for our fan base.

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I personally think we should roll with Jimmy Leonard. He is a home grown guy but he is also running the Baltimore Ravens 3-4 scheme which he played many years in. He has done a great job in Wisconsin by bringing in that defense and the best thing is his attitude, he was a walk on with a give it all attitude and that rubs off on players. We have the players to run his defense i believe, plus Zadarius is used to that system. Thats just my thoughts, plus he could help with the special teams return guys as he did that very well also.

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I agree with Hazer. Leonard is the guy I want.
He gets the most out of his guys.
And his full name isn’t Fireleonard!😂

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The same 3-4 system that Mike Pettine has coached for the better part of the last 2 decades, you mean? If the qualification is Ravens' 3-4 system, why not go with Rex Ryan - the guy who made that style of defence infamous? Or simply bring Pettine back, who taught Leonard the system for, literally, almost all of Leonard's career. And I want my DC focused on one thing: managing and overseeing the defense; he's not the ST coordinator. The one thing I will say for Leonard is that he played next to Ed Reed - he'd definitely have pointers for Savage that could prove useful.

It's interesting that MLF has been interviewing coaches across both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes. I don't know if MLF has a preference for scheme, which is kind of the thing that limits the ability to make any guess on who he'd be leaning towards. I can't imagine the interviews run too much longer; hopefully we have a DC by the end of next week.

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