Packers Hire New Defensive Coordinator: Jeff Hafley, formerly Head Coach, Boston College

[Firethorn1001]

All I know is that Matt's hair stylist in GB picked up another client.

 

[Sanguine camper]

Reeks of nepotism? Seriously? Because MLF knows him? LOL

Hafley is reported to be more than just someone he hardly knows. What is it when you hire a friend? That's nepotism. Is it bad in this case? Maybe, maybe not. I do like that he likes to play more man-to-man coverages.

 

[Jayzee1981]

I can’t believe I’m gonna say this… I’m speechless… I haven’t read this thread yet, or even tried to begin to investigate this kid, but I will. I just wanted to quick comment. I did not see this coming.

 

[Jayzee1981]

I like the fact he runs a 4-3. The guy is coming here with a **** load of talent. That scheme change could be what’s missing with that talent. It could hit or it’ll be right where we are now. We’re all gonna have to realistically reserve judgment on him solely for the reason he’s so raw and “unproven”

Look. Most of us can probably admit we’ve been wrong about Jordan Love correct? Where he was drafted, what we traded to get there, blah blah blah. Also other things this team has done starting this rebuild. I say they have to know something we don’t. Grand scheme of things with this re transformation, they’ve done a pretty good job so that’s all I can go by and hope for. It sounds cookie cutter but that’s all we can do‍

 

[Dantés]

Earlier this season, I was listening to Andy Herman and Mike Wahle talking about the Packers defense. One of the comments that Wahle made stuck out to me. He said that tackling problems aren't insurmountable in today's NFL-- you just have to allocate the time to working on it. Most teams, Wahle said, want to spend nearly all their time on scheme and very little of it on fundamentals.

I read an article tonight about Hafley at Ohio State. He dedicated a ton of time to tackling and fundamentals. If he brings that to Green Bay, it's going to pay dividends.

 

[Jayzee1981]

https://x.com/TomSilverstein/status/1752904279839416638?s=20

 

[jetfixer]

I read every defense he came to, improved very quick. Other than that I had never heard of him. But, Browns, Niners, OSU and BC defensively got better.

 

[rmontro]

He elevated the Ohio state defense from the 70s ranking to No. 1 in a single season.

Yeah, let's do that.

 

[El Guapo]

Reports are that he and Lafluer are friends.

Is this post literally what has you all jumping up and down throwing bananas?

This article says that they have never worked together, but are both part of the Shanahan tree since he coached under Robert Saleh in SF:

What to know about Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley

Who is Jeff Hafley? Here's what to know.

www.packersnews.com

I found three articles that said that they are friends, all of which quoted ESPN's Pete Thamel. I've never heard of that guy so I'm not sure that I'm going to trust him as a source. Even if I did, whether or not they are friends makes no difference. We will know nothing until about Week 10 of the 2024. It usually takes about half a season for a defense to adjust to a new coordinator/scheme. Until that point, expect lots of communication errors and mistakes as everyone gets used to the new system.

Alright now, continue throwing your feces at one another!

 

[McKnowledge]

Why not? I like they’re shifting from a 3-4 to a 4-3 playing to the strengths of the defense.

I would like to assume they’ll keep JA in the fold as he is adept in man to man coverage.

Probably draft a bigger corner on the other side as Stokes cannot stay healthy.

Hopefully, the defense will blitz more and allow a single high safety to ballhawk.

Out of left field, but an interesting hire. Time will tell.

 

[gatorpack]

Did anybody say they are switching to a 4-3?

 

[XPack]

Did anybody say they are switching to a 4-3?

Shouldn't matter much either way as most teams line up nickel most of the time including us. Gary, Smith and Ness all can switch to DE easily.

What I read and like is that he coaches an aggressive defense. We need that.

 

[weeds]

Is this post literally what has you all jumping up and down throwing bananas?

This article says that they have never worked together, but are both part of the Shanahan tree since he coached under Robert Saleh in SF:

What to know about Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley

Who is Jeff Hafley? Here's what to know.

www.packersnews.com

I found three articles that said that they are friends, all of which quoted ESPN's Pete Thamel. I've never heard of that guy so I'm not sure that I'm going to trust him as a source. Even if I did, whether or not they are friends makes no difference. We will know nothing until about Week 10 of the 2024. It usually takes about half a season for a defense to adjust to a new coordinator/scheme. Until that point, expect lots of communication errors and mistakes as everyone gets used to the new system.

Alright now, continue throwing your feces at one another!

I don't eat bananas ... now feces on the other hand...

 

[AmishMafia]

Hafley is reported to be more than just someone he hardly knows. What is it when you hire a friend? That's nepotism. Is it bad in this case? Maybe, maybe not. I do like that he likes to play more man-to-man coverages.

MLF probably is friends with many of the potential coaches. He seems a very gregarious guy. Should he have found someone he doesn't like? That doesn't sound like a good idea.

 

[Voyageur]

It's not unusual for coaches to know each other. They run into one another throughout their careers, as they change jobs, or attend different functions. It's also far from unusual when a HC decides they want someone they know for a position, because they at least know their disposition, and direction, before offering the job.

Since Hafely did serve as an assistant in the NFL, I'd say there's a darned good chance he has met over half of the HCs in the league.

I think it's grasping at straws to find a reason to dis the pick, for no real reason.

But, that's just my opinion.

 

[longtimefan]

Richard Sherman

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[tynimiller]

Sherman, Okudah...many others have spoken about Hefley. Bottom line I love GB was looking for (all candidates nearly) a defensive backfield minded coach that isn't locked into a Fangio scheme or mindset. I know everyone is talking about he is more a 4-3 than a 3-4 but truthfully we have the pieces to do both quite well and sub packages rule the roost usually anyways, I'm not going to get suckered into believing a roster overhaul is coming as some are saying (not here but in fan circles I've witnessed).

 

[rmontro]

Did anybody say they are switching to a 4-3?

Someone here posted that, although I haven't heard it elsewhere. I did hear that Hafley was proficient in both 4-3 and 3-4.

I'm not sure what to think. Sounds like MLF has gone for an up and comer, which will go along well with the young team, IF it works out. But I have a good gut feeling about it.

 

[thequick12]

I listened to a short interview of this dude talking about defense and he won me over...I think he's gonna be good

Then I heard Richard Sherman talk about him in a short interview and that sealed the deal. Sherman is smart but he said dude makes the game plan so easy to understand and he's beyond prepared

 

[Don Barclay]

I am sorry for being condescending.

I appreciate that, and I will acknowledge that you have a long track record of well-founded opinions on this board. Except when we disagree (haha).

 

[thequick12]

Someone here posted that, although I haven't heard it elsewhere. I did hear that Hafley was proficient in both 4-3 and 3-4.

I'm not sure what to think. Sounds like MLF has gone for an up and comer, which will go along well with the young team, IF it works out. But I have a good gut feeling about it.

In the interview I heard of him...he referenced "4 down linemen" but he also said the college game and NFL game arent really even comparable. Its a totally different game with relation to how you need to play defense

 

[tynimiller]

I've seen/researched and heard enough to be excited for the change, see the potential and zero clue to see or know how it will all turn out!

 

[Sanguine camper]

I read every defense he came to, improved very quick. Other than that I had never heard of him. But, Browns, Niners, OSU and BC defensively got better.

He has a proven track record of making people better, especially DB's. I don't think Joe Barry could claim that when he was hired. We'll see how he does, but he has a good resume.

 

[BrokenArrow]

Did anybody say they are switching to a 4-3?

He has experience in 3-4 and 4-3. I think he'll run whatever the talent he has dictates he should run. Doesn't sound like a guy who will try to plug square pegs into round holes.

 

[tynimiller]

He has experience in 3-4 and 4-3. I think he'll run whatever the talent he has dictates he should run. Doesn't sound like a guy who will try to plug square pegs into round holes.

Yup experience in both, with a leaning towards more a 4-3 base. Truthfully though our body types of our front 7 can manage either.....outside I really believe we need another mobile off ball LB that attacks downhill. I think Quay does well in a 4-3 base but as my MiLB I want someone different.