The Green Bay Packers appoint Jeff Hafley from Boston College as their new defensive coordinator.
The announcement came on Wednesday that the Green Bay Packers have selected Jeff Hafley, the head coach at Boston College, to serve as their new defensive coordinator.
In a statement, Packers coach Matt LaFleur expressed enthusiasm about the addition, saying, “We are excited to welcome Jeff, his wife, Gina, and their daughters, Hope and Leah, to the Packers and the Green Bay community. Jeff has had success at every stop of his coaching career with an impressive track record of developing players at every level. We look forward to him leading our defense.”
During his four-year tenure at Boston College, Hafley achieved a 22-26 record, guiding the Eagles to bowl eligibility in three of those years. The team finished the latest season with a 7-6 record, including a victory over No. 22 SMU in the Fenway Bowl.
Hafley’s decision to accept the defensive coordinator position in the NFL reflects his concerns about the current state of college football, emphasizing the shift towards fundraising, Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, and recruiting challenges. Sources close to Hafley explained that he is eager to return to coaching in a league solely focused on football.
The move makes Hafley the third sitting college head coach this year to willingly transition to a coordinator role, following South Alabama’s Kane Wommack and Buffalo’s Maurice Linguist, both of whom moved to Alabama. This trend underscores the growing divide between top-tier schools and others in terms of resources, particularly in the context of NIL deals.
Hafley was drawn to the promising future of the Packers, citing their strong young core and bright prospects. His close relationship with LaFleur, as well as his admiration for the Packers franchise, played a significant role in his decision.
Replacing Joe Barry, Hafley will be the third different defensive coordinator under LaFleur, who is entering his sixth year as the head coach. Despite not directly working together before, LaFleur and Hafley share some mutual connections, including their association with coach Mike Pettine and the San Francisco 49ers.
While the rest of the Packers’ defensive coaching staff is under contract for the 2024 season, Hafley’s arrival brings anticipation about potential changes or continuity within the coaching ranks.
Hafley, a seasoned NFL assistant coach with seven years of experience, returned to college football as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator in 2019 before taking on the head coaching role at Boston College in 2020. His time with the Eagles included notable achievements such as three top recruiting classes and a bowl win in the latest season.
