Inside The Panthers

Pitt Opponent Loses HC to Packers

A regular Pitt Panthers opponent has lost its head coach.

Stephen Thompson

Pitt Opponent Loses HC to Packers
Pitt Opponent Loses HC to Packers /
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PITTSBURGH -- A Pitt Panthers opponent has suffered a major blow while coming off one of its better seasons in recent memory as their head coach makes a surprising move to the NFL. 

Boston College - who the Panthers are scheduled to play every season from now until 2030 - will enter the 2024 season without head coach Jeff Hafley leading them, according to a report from ESPN's Pete Thamel. Hafley is expected to accept an offer to become the new defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers. 

The Packers fired Joe Barry a week ago and quickly moved to add his replacement. 

Thamel shed yet more light on his reasoning for leaving, saying new rules in college football half added more unnecessary stressors. 

“He wants to go coach football again in a league that is all about football,” a source told ESPN, according to Thamel. “College coaching has become fundraising, NIL and recruiting your own team and transfers. There’s no time to coach football anymore."

Hafley and the Eagles won seven games in 2023, including a 23-14 victory over then-No. 17 SMU. Boston College took College Football Playoff contender and eventual ACC Champion Florida State down to the wire before ultimately losing, 31-29. A five-game winning streak in the middle of the season opened the door for their first bowl berth since Hafley had taken over as head coach. 

Hafley accumulated a 22-26 record as head coach of the Eagles, including a 1-1 record against Pitt, in four seasons at the helm. 

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Stephen Thompson
STEPHEN THOMPSON

Stephen Thompson graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications and political science from Pitt in April 2022 after spending four years as a sports writer and editor at The Pitt News, the University of Pittsburgh's independent, student-run newspaper.  He primarily worked the Pitt men's basketball beat, and filled in on coverage of football, volleyball, softball, gymnastics and lacrosse, in addition to other sports as needed. His work at The Pitt News has won awards from the Pennsylvania News Media Association and Associated College Press.  During the spring and summer of 2021, Stephen interned for Pittsburgh Sports Now, covering baseball in western Pennsylvania. Hailing from Washington D.C., family ties have cultivated a love of Boston's professional teams and Pitt athletics, and a fascination with sports in general.  You can reach Stephen by email at stephenethompson00@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter. Read his latest work:

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