4 Reasons Why Jeff Hafley Was Chosen as Packers Defensive Coordinator
Hafley will look to turn around Green Bay's underperforming defense as he becomes an NFL defensive coordinator for the first time.
By Markoldacres Feb 02, 2024
The Green Bay Packers have a new defensive coordinator after luring Jeff Hafley away from his head coaching position at Boston College to succeed Joe Barry.
Hafley was a surprise hire to most, as an interview had not been reported, but why did Matt LaFleur decide the 44-year-old was the man to turn around Green Bay’s defense? Here are four possible key reasons Hafley was selected.
A change in philosophy
First and foremost, Hafley will bring a different ideology to the role than his predecessor Barry. He is the person you date right after getting out of a problematic relationship, who is, almost by design, the exact opposite of your ex.
The soft, shell defense Barry deployed drove Packers fans crazy by bending and too often breaking, with cornerbacks playing too far off and making life easy for opposing receivers and quarterbacks.
Say goodbye to that, because Hafley is a big fan of press man coverage and will likely utilize it much more regularly.
When addressing the media after taking over as Ohio State’s co-defensive coordinator back in 2019, Hafley said: “Love press man. Got to be able to play it. I think it’s a fundamental technique”.
The Packers appear to have corners who would thrive in a position where they can be more competitive and challenge receivers from the snap. Jaire Alexander, Carrington Valentine and Eric Stokes are better suited to that kind of coverage than sitting back in zone.
That was always the confusing element of Barry’s philosophy. It seemed to fly in the face of what his players would be best at. Expect that to change with Hafley now in the hot seat.
Head coaching experience
Towards the end of Barry’s tenure, it became an open secret LaFleur had involved himself in the defense to a greater degree than he had probably ever planned to, in an effort to turn around the struggling unit.
It worked, to some extent, as there were improvements after Baker Mayfield’s perfect passer rating at Lambeau Field until the end of the season.
But ultimately, LaFleur had enough on his plate as the head coach and offensive play caller, and Hafley’s hire indicates a desire to give the new defensive coordinator total trust and autonomy.
Hafley has been a head coach the last four seasons, he will not need his hand held as he implements and runs his defense in Green Bay. This was no doubt an attractive quality for LaFleur, similar to Rich Bisaccia on special teams.
LaFleur should have more time to work with Jordan Love and his young offense going forward, which should only help that side of the ball take another step forward.
Coaches are teachers
Scheme is important, but the teaching of technique is something of a lost art in the modern NFL, and this is something Hafley is passionate about.
A presentation on the particulars of press coverage from his Boston College was quickly found on Twitter after the Packers hired Hafley. A defense which has often struggled with fundamentals, especially in tackling, could certainly benefit from this detailed approach to technique.
Speaking on Next Up with Adam Breneman recently, Hafley talked about his desire to get back to more actual coaching in a college football world altered drastically by NIL and the transfer portal, which provides some insight as to his acceptance of the Packers DC position.
Hafley said: “I wanna coach football. I wanna coach more defense this year than I did last year. I gotta coach again. But how am I gonna do that? That’s what I need to figure out”.
It looks like Hafley figured it out.
Coaching influences
Like it or not, the NFL is about relationships.
There have been conflicting reports around Hafley’s prior relationship with LaFleur, with one reporter claiming the two are long-time friends and others refuting it.
When they believed Hafley and LaFleur were best buddies, there was a reasonable skepticism from Packers fans after watching three years of Barry, who had a strong rapport with the head coach from previous stops in their careers.
Throughout his career, Hafley has worked with some coaches LaFleur knows well, such as his brother Mike, his best friend in football Robert Saleh, mentor Kyle Shanahan, and current OC Adam Stenavich.
This may have helped Hafley’s case, but not because LaFleur knows them, rather what they, along with a laundry list of other coaches, represent: the sheer number of quality football influences Hafley has spent time with in his career to date.
Hafley has worked with DeMeco Ryans, Kevin O’Connell, Mike Pettine, Mike McDaniel. He has NFL experience with the San Francisco 49ers, Cleveland Browns, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He has been around a ton of great coaches and has the bona fides to be on an NFL staff.