New Packers DC Jeff Hafley Opens Up on Decision to Leave College Head Coaching Job

The former Boston College coach confessed his reasons for joining Green Bay this offseason.

Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley didn’t have just one reason for leaving Boston College earlier this offseason. Based on his introductory news conference on Thursday, he had at least three.

Hafley, who was hired by the Packers in late January to replace Joe Barry, talked in-depth about his thought process of choosing Green Bay, and two of the biggest reasons were personnel-related.

“One was Matt [LaFleur]. I’ve known Matt for a while,” Hafley said. “I worked with his brother [Mike LaFleur], worked with Kyle [Shanahan], worked with Robert [Saleh], worked with guys that he’s known, so I’ve known of Matt. I’ve respected what he’s done. … And then Brian [Gutekunst], watching the talent that he has acquired over the last few years. When I really started to watch the tape, watched the last few draft classes and the job that he’s done and will continue to do going forward, that was obviously very appealing to me.”

"This is like the mecca of the football world to me & probably to most people who grew up loving football." 🏈

Welcome to Green Bay, Jeff Hafley! #GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/TcPrECH2kZ

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) February 23, 2024

The former Eagles head coach added that he was impressed by the way the Packers overcame adversity early in the 2023 season, after they started 2–5 in Jordan Love’s first year as starter. Love would go on to lead the team to a 9–8 finish and book a ticket to the postseason, where the Packers toppled the Dallas Cowboys, 48–32, in the wild-card round.

Hafley also confessed his love and reverence for the Packers franchise as a whole, calling it “the mecca of the football world.”

“Just being here and driving into Lambeau every day, it still feels surreal,” continued Hafley. “The community, maybe the best fans in all of the world made a really, really hard decision—leaving Boston College, players that I loved, staff that I loved, the leadership at the school—it made a really hard decision a lot easier and, ultimately, that’s why I decided to come.”

Jeff Hafley spoke to the media as the new Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator on Friday :: Dan Powers/USA TODAY

He also touched on changes that have impacted the college game, including the transfer portal and NIL.

“Certainly, college football has changed and I do think that—I’m not going to get on a soap box here today—but what I will say is I that do think there needs some things to change.”

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The 44-year-old Hafley previously served as a defensive backs coach for a handful of NFL teams from 2013—2018. He gets his first NFL defensive coordinator gig in Green Bay and will work with a defense that ranked 13th in passing yards and 28th in rushing yards allowed per game last season.