(AP) -Head coach of Boston College Jeff Hafley is departing to take a position as defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers.
Hafley will succeed Joe Barry, who was sacked by the Packers last week after three seasons as their defensive coordinator, the team announced on Wednesday night. Hafley spent four seasons at Boston College, going 22-26 overall. This past season, he finished 7-6 and defeated SMU in the Fenway Bowl.
In a statement sent by the university, Hafley said, “I loved my four years at Boston College.” “With the caliber of student-athletes we recruit, the facilities, and the support from the University and BC fans, this is an amazing place to coach.” The guys who gave so much of themselves over the last four years will be missed.\
Along with opening up the coaching carousel again, his move leaves Boston College with the lone opening of any Football Bowl Subdivision program.
Before joining Ohio State as the co-defensive coordinator and secondary coach in 2019, Hafley was an NFL secondary coach for Tampa Bay (2012–13), Cleveland (2014–15), and San Francisco (2016–18).
In a statement announcing the hire, Packers coach Matt LaFleur noted, “Jeff has had success at every stop of his coaching career with an impressive track record of developing players at every level.” “We are excited to have him in charge of our defense.”
Hafley takes over a defense that struggled this season for the most part before making a comeback in the end.
With a defense that included eight former first-round draft picks, Green Bay finished the regular season ranked 10th in points allowed per game (20.6), 17th in yards allowed per game (335.1), and 23rd in yards allowed per play (5.4).
The Packers’ defense fared substantially better the rest of the season after giving up 29.3 points per game over a 1-2 December stretch against the New York Giants, Tampa Bay, and Carolina.
In their final two games of the regular season, the Packers gave up just one touchdown, which was recovered by Minnesota at the Green Bay 7-yard line after a mishandled punt. The Packers went on to defeat Dallas 48–32 in the wild-card round, keeping them scoreless until the very last play of the first half.
The season concluded for Green Bay with a 24-21 NFC divisional
Hafley’s performance at Boston College was erratic.
Hafley was enticed to leave Ohio State by BC, even as the Buckeyes were getting ready for the College Football Playoffs, following the dismissal of Steve Addazio, who was fired for not being able to achieve more than seven wins in his seven seasons in Chestnut Hill.
However, Hafley struggled to adapt to his new surroundings in the midst of a pandemic and only achieved six victories in each of his first two seasons.
The Eagles, who had only one positive test during the season—during the last week—were maybe the best club in the nation at controlling the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. However, in order to spend Christmas with their families, the players chose not to participate in a bowl game; in 2021, a COVID outbreak prompted the cancelation of
In 2022, BC finished with a 3-9 record, plagued by injuries and the quarterback turnover that typified a large portion of Hafley’s time in the Heights. Hafley’s employment was in risk as the Eagles started this season 1-3; however, they won five straight games to secure another bowl berth.
“We are incredibly grateful” for Hafley’s years of service, according to a statement from Boston College athletic director
. A nationwide search for a new head coach will start right away.
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