In a strategic move, the Green Bay Packers announced the appointment of Jeff Hafley as their defensive coordinator on Wednesday, reinforcing their coaching staff with an experienced and proven leader.
Hafley, 44, brings a wealth of coaching experience, having previously served as a defensive backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2012-13), Cleveland Browns (2014-15), and San Francisco 49ers (2016-18) before transitioning back to the college ranks. His impressive tenure includes a notable stint as co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Ohio State in 2019, where he played a pivotal role in the Buckeyes’ formidable defense, earning him consideration for the Frank Broyles Award.
“We are excited to welcome Jeff, his wife, Gina, and their daughters, Hope and Leah, to the Packers and the Green Bay community,” expressed Packers coach Matt LaFleur in a statement. “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.”
Hafley’s coaching prowess was evident during his four seasons at Boston College, where he achieved a 22-26 record. In 2023, he guided the team to a 7-6 season, culminating in a victory over No. 22 SMU in the Fenway Bowl. Despite leaving the college scene, Hafley expressed gratitude for his time at Boston College, acknowledging the exceptional environment for coaching and the support from the university and its fans.
“I loved my four years at Boston College,” said Hafley in a statement released by the university. “This is an exceptional place to coach given the caliber of student-athletes we recruit, the facilities, and the support from the University and BC fans. I will miss the players who gave so much of themselves these past four years, and my wife Gina and I will certainly miss the BC community and the many friends we have made here.”
Taking over from the recently departed Joe Barry, Hafley assumes the role of defensive coordinator, becoming the third individual to hold this position under Coach LaFleur’s leadership. As the Packers gear up for the upcoming season, Hafley’s proven track record and defensive expertise are anticipated to bolster the team’s performance on the field.
