DC’s New Packers Jeff Hafley on 4-3: leave college to enter the NFL
Green Bay, Wisconsin When Jeff Hafley was formally presented as the new defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, he was asked two questions that dominated the conversation: After spending the previous five seasons as a college head coach, why would he leave his position as head coach at Boston College to serve as an assistant in the NFL? Can his defensive strategy be effective in the professional game?
Hafley, 44, was ready to go into further detail on both subjects during a roughly 30-minute interview at Lambeau Field with reporters.
He spent 2019 as Ohio State’s co-defensive coordinator before taking the helm as head coach at Boston College from 2020 to 2023. Prior to that, he worked as a defensive assistant for multiple NFL clubs between 2012 and 2018, assisting some of the most close colleagues of Packers coach Matt LaFleur in the industry, such as LaFleur’s brother Mike, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, and Jets coach Robert Saleh.
“I spent a lot of time in the NFL, right?” said Hafley. “It was a major criticism of me when I transferred to Ohio State—this is an NFL player, he can’t be a college coach, right?
In my opinion, defense is all about maximizing the potential of your players, regardless of the formation you play in. This includes press man, which I adore, zone coverages, vision and break, quarters, and matches. And are you able to use your players to the fullest extent possible?”
Hafley gave an explanation of how much the collegiate game has changed since he was hired by BC in 2020, citing the COVID-19 year, the transfer portal, and NIL as reasons he left a head coaching position behind.
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Hafley remarked, “I’m not going to get on a soap box here today.” “However, I will admit that I do believe some things need to change. However, things have altered significantly since I took over that position, even though the game and its coaches are still excellent.”
Hafley’s explanation of his concept should appeal to Packers supporters in two ways at least: vision-and-break coverage and press-man tactics. The inactive aspect of coverages frequently became a point of contention in the scheme of former defensive coordinator Joe Barry.
Undoubtedly, the primary distinction is in the fundamental idea; Barry utilized a 3-4, whereas Hafley will utilize a 4-3.
That might not be as much of an adjustment as it was in 2009 when the Packers went from a 4-3 to a 3-4, though, considering how little base has been employed by recent NFL teams. Last season, the Packers utilized their base 3-4 on 26.7% of their defensive snaps, nickel 67.8%, and dime 5.5%.
LaFleur was more concerned with the individual than his plan.
LaFleur stated, “I wanted to get who I thought was the best for us.”
“The fit is a crucial component, and he just so happens to run a 4-3… However, I was content with what we had. Because the last thing you want to do is throw away everything you’ve got, particularly if you have players under contract, some decent players who have done well, and so on.”
Ever since taking over as head coach in 2019, LaFleur has been very clear about what he expects from his third defensive coordinator.
“I want us to be fast and physical and attack the ball,” LaFleur stated. “We will be a little more vision-based on the back end, and I think that’s a great opportunity to be able to go out there and generate takeaways.”
Hafley would seem to gravitate toward zone coverages in a style predicated on vision, but that doesn’t mean his corners can’t push.
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Hafley refers to a player who patrols the middle of the field as the “post safety,” and this player may provide the finest illustration of how he wants to play. Only rookie Anthony Johnson Jr., who saw a lot of action last season and has a contract through 2024, is a safety for the Packers. If they are not re-signed, Darnell Savage, Jonathan Owens, and Rudy Ford will all become free agents next month.
Regarding that position, Hafley stated, “We gotta eliminate explosive plays when we play this defense.” “This man has to come out of middle field with his hair on fire if a run hits up the middle. He must possess the ability to subdue a man. In addition, I want him to be a man that goes after the ball carrier and finishes the pile when he is tied up.
“I’m looking for a man that can steal the ball and move from sideline to sideline. I believe a player with high ball production—that is, someone who can intercept the ball—must play that position. He must possess communication skills, be able to organize men into a line, and be able to make some calls back home. And a guy who can play man, I’d adore. These are some of the characteristics I would look for in a player at that position, therefore I suppose I’m describing the ideal player to you.”
On Thursday, talk turned to more new coordinators than just Hafley. Aaron Hill has been appointed by LaFleur as the new coordinator of strength and conditioning, after Chris Gizzi, who was let go last month. According to LaFleur, he made the adjustment because he believed they required “new leadership in that position.”
Hill was drawn to LaFleur because he was Shanahan’s assistant strength and conditioning coach for the 49ers. However, LaFleur said that Dustin Perry, the head strength and conditioning coach for the 49ers, “may or may not be my wife’s first cousin.”
Regarding San Francisco’s strength and conditioning division, LaFleur remarked, “I think they’re doing some pretty cool things out there.”
