Packers Appoint Anthony Campanile, a Fiery Coach for Linebackers
Anthony Campanile, the new linebackers coach for the Green Bay Packers, gave a historic speech on HBO’s “Hard Knocks.
Anthony Campanile has been hired by the Green Bay Packers to serve as both their defensive run-game coordinator and linebackers coach, a source confirmed to Packer Central on Tuesday.
Strangely enough, Campanile arrived in Green Bay earlier in the day after former Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry was hired to teach the Dolphins’ linebackers under new coordinator Anthony Weaver. He will replace Kirk Olivadotti, who joined the Seahawks as a member of Mike Macdonald’s new staff.
As the protégé of the great Vic Fangio, Campanile made sense as Barry’s replacement as defensive coordinator. Instead, in an attempt to revive their long-struggling run defense and get the best out of Quay Walker, the Packers brought in a highly rated position coach and appointed Jeff Hafley as coordinator.
He was the linebackers coach for Miami for four seasons, ending in 2023. With 3.81 yards allowed per rush, the Dolphins came in sixth place, and the Packers, with 4.42 yards allowed per carry, came in 23rd. With 4.21 yards allowed per rush from 2020 to 2023, the Dolphins were 10th, while the Packers came in at number 31 with 4.66 yards allowed per carry.
To begin with, Vince Lombardi is quoted in this iconic, profanity-filled clip from “Hard Knocks,” which perfectly captures the 41-year-old’s style.
When you’re working for the people you care about, you’re at your best. We literally have a Sunday duty to honor the ones we love, no matter how much time you practice or spend apart from them. That is all. That’s what we do. Honor the people you care about by going out there. Play with all of your might. Assail the f***ing ball as though it were a person sprinting down the street while carrying your parents and my children.
“It’s not possible for that individual to escape from me. Furthermore, nobody is hiding beneath my f***ing pads in an attempt to prevent me from bringing him back into my life. That is not going to f*ck occur. However, if you consistently receive that kind of treatment, practice that way, and resolve to practice that way with each other, you’re unstoppable. I have no idea who the f*** is going to stop you from pursuing your goals.
“Everyone is aware of what ass whooping is. We all know what happens when I travel to Greece and somebody begins having their f***ing ass whooped. The language that we all speak is the same. Nothing gets lost in translation if someone is getting their ass kicked, even if we are unable to converse.
“They talk ass whooping all over the world. to the day of your passing. That being said, let us rule out that factor. We can’t outwork them. Take that out and let’s see what the f*** occurs. Continue punching, attacking the ball, and finishing blocks—don’t f***ing stop doing so, and we’ll see what transpires.
Recently, Campanile had an interview to be the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants; nevertheless, Shane Bowen was chosen for the position.He was rumored to be a candidate to take Hafley’s place as Boston College’s head coach. While Hafley was employed by the San Francisco 49ers in those seasons, Campanile served as the defensive backs coach at BC in 2016 and 2017 and as the co-defensive coordinator in 2018.
Prior to joining the Dolphins in 2020, he served as the linebackers coach at Michigan in 2019.
From 2001 to 2004, Campanile played both safety and linebacker at Rutgers.
Along with his father and three siblings, Campanile hails from a family of coaches.
The Sun-Sentinel was informed by Campanile, “My dad said we all got into coaching because nobody would hire us for a real job.”
In a 2021 profile, The New York Times referred to them as “The first family of New Jersey football.”
According to Campanile, “this game has a way of humbling you.” Who better than your brothers to confide in?
