The Green Bay Packers have officially appointed Jeff Hafley as their new defensive coordinator, as confirmed by the team on January 31. Hafley, previously the head coach at Boston College for four seasons, brings a wealth of coaching experience to the Packers.
Coach Matt LaFleur expressed enthusiasm about the addition, stating, “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.”
According to ESPN, Hafley’s hiring was influenced by his longstanding friendship with LaFleur. During his tenure at Boston College, Hafley led the Eagles to bowl eligibility in three of the four years. Before joining BC, he served as the co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach for Ohio State in 2019, earning recognition as a finalist for the Frank Broyles Award and the 247 Sports Defensive Coordinator of the Year.
The decision to bring in Hafley follows the announcement on January 24 that Joe Barry would not be returning as the defensive coordinator, a role he held for three seasons. The Green Bay defense faced challenges throughout the season, prompting inquiries about the possibility of a coordinator change. However, the defense notably improved after Christmas.
With Hafley now at the helm, the Packers are poised for a new chapter in defensive strategy under his proven leadership and coaching expertise.