The Green Bay Packers have finally chosen a new defensive coordinator. Following a week-long search, the team announced the arrival
of Jeff Hafley to fill the role left vacant by Joe Barry’s departure last week.
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Until this week, Hafley was the head coach of the Boston College Eagles in the NCAA. With Hafley at the helm, BC’s defense ranked
third in the nation in passing yards allowed, averaging 173.5 per game.
They were also placed in the top 30 in the nation for total defense, red zone defense, first downs allowed, third-down percentage, and
defensive touchdowns.
Hafley has substantial coaching experience on the collegiate circuit, having worked at Ohio State, the University of Albany, Pittsburgh,
and Rutgers, among others. In the NFL, he was an assistant coach for the Cleveland Browns and defensive backs coach for the Tampa
Bay Buccaneers.
Head coach Matt LaFleur welcomed the new defensive coordinator to the squad. “We are excited to welcome Jeff, his wife, Gina, and
their daughters, Hope and Leah, to the Packers and the Green Bay community,” LaFleur said in a statement.
He stated that Hafley “has had success at every stop of his coaching career, with an impressive track record of developing players at
every level.” We’re looking forward to him guiding our defense.”
Hafley replaced Joe Barry, who quit last week after only two years on the job. Barry signed a contract with the Packers in 2021,
following the departure of Mike Pettine.
Throughout the regular season, their defense performed admirably. It ranked 11th in yards accepted per game (345.5), 12th in passing
yards (233.4), and 15th in rushing yards (112.1).
They ranked tenth in points allowed with an average of 20.6, 14th in sacks with 45, and 31st in interceptions with only seven.
