While the Green Bay Packers have been treated to elite offensive play-calling from head coach Matt LaFleur for many years, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley has also been doing a notably good job with the defense. After years of the defensive talent on paper not matching the output on the field, Hafley has made strides with raising the ceiling of the group and maximizing his talent. As one of the league’s stronger defensive coordinators, how likely is it that Hafley becomes an NFL head coach in the future?
Jeff Hafley Has Raised the Level of the Green Bay Packers Defense
Shortly before the end of the Mike McCarthy era in Green Bay, long-time defensive coordinator Dom Capers was fired. After the Super-Bowl winning coach had continued to achieve underwhelming results, Capers was let go. Soon after, McCarthy himself was gone, and a new era began for the Packers.
Since the massive coaching changes in 2017 and 2018, head coach Matt LaFleur has stabilized the offense and offered cutting-edge scheme and play-calling. Meanwhile, the defensive side has been more of a roller coaster. Packers fans have witnessed Mike Pettine and Joe Barry have varying levels of success, and despite working with a considerable amount of talented players on defense, have not been able to put together a top-end unit.
In 2024, former Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley entered the fold and helped lead the Packers to the #4 defense in yards per game, their first top 5 finish in YPG allowed since 2010. Ranking 5th in scoring defense, it was also the team’s best mark since that year.
Hafley is rising through the ranks to already be considered by some to be one of the better defensive coaches in the game. The question is, will Hafley eventually rise to become an NFL head coach?
NFL Experts Think Hafley Will Become A Head Coach in the Future
On her podcast, NFL expert Mina Kimes was joined by NFL expert Mike Golic Jr. in discussing which NFL coordinators would be next in line for head coaching positions in the future. As the two ventured several names, Hafley was brought up as the #8 coordinator. Golic summarized what makes Hafley an attractive name for an NFL franchise in the future.
“Been a head coach at the college level, came in last year and helped max out the potential on a defense that had been talked about as underachieving for a little bit.”
Hafley’s time at Boston College as the head coach was not remarkable in terms of wins and losses. He was just 22-26 with the Eagles over four seasons. That being said, the defensive specialist had some very impressive accomplishments on that side of the ball. BC was third in passing yards allowed in the nation that year, and also ranked near the top in many major defensive categories. Needless to say, the NFL quickly took notice.
Joining the Green Bay Packers, Hafley’s defensive scheme was regarded as very collegiate and not necessarily suitable to the NFL level, particularly his tendency to run single-high safety coverages. However, he has shown the ability to adapt in the NFL and change his schemes to combat pro-style offenses. The Packers were not overly reliant on Cover 1 and showed some versatility on the back end. Having talented defensive backs like Xavier McKinney, Javon Bullard, and Evan Williams certainly helps.
Kimes felt that Hafley has displayed “creative and interesting gameplans” during his debut season with Green Bay. She also noted the recent history of Packers defenses being the reason they fail in the playoffs, which was not the case last season. Hafley is proof that coaching does make a difference, and this Packers unit figures to be even better heading into 2025-26.
Outside of his current tenure with the Green Bay Packers, Hafley has seven years of prior NFL experience, serving as the defensive backs coach for Tampa Bay, Cleveland, and San Francisco. With a college head coaching experience, recent NFL success, and proven ability to take a group to the next level, it seems likely that Hafley will eventually get his shot at a head coaching position.
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