What can we really credit Jeff Hafley with?
Yes, he joined Ohio State in 2019 as DC (co-DC) and that unit finished very well. But he didn't recruit those players, he inherited those players. Then he gets hired as Boston College HC where he spent 2020-2023. Can we credit/blame him for the defense when he was the HC?
It's really hard to look at the box score statistics and feel comfortable in either direction.
So, what do we know?
When I read he was a "longtime friend" of Matt LaFleur.
Face. Palm.When I read it was expected the entire defensive staff would be retained.
Face. Palm.When I read Matt LaFleur and Jeff Hafley are NOT longtime friends.
Whew.When I realized Matt LaFleur and Jeff Hafley have not worked together previously.
Whew.When I read the Packers defensive staff was informed they can seek opportunities elsewhere.
Whew!I also heard things from people like Richard Sherman, Dan Orlovsky, Isaiah McDuffie, Mike Golic Jr. and others who speak highly of him and talk about his attention to detail, ability to teach and his aggressiveness.
I watched an hour interview where he covered numerous facets of things, including football.
Overall, I can't recall being this excited about a DC for Packers in a long time. Maybe it's because I have this naive hope the defense might not WIN games for us, but it won't be WHY we lose games. If that makes sense.