The Green Bay Packers parted ways with former assistant coach and defense coordinator Joe Barry after the 2023-24 season. Thus, ex-Boston College head coach Jeff Hafley took over Barry’s duties, and reportedly, he is doing a great job so far. Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon spoke about Hafley’s impact amid the team’s summer training battles.
Nixon began by expressing approval for Hafley and noted his unique engagement style.
“I like Haf. Man, Haf is a cool dude,” Nixon said via “Up & Adams” with Kay Adams on Monday. “Short guy, so he kind of got little man syndrome I think. He is competitive as hell. He goes at [head coach] Matt LaFleur, which is something new for me. He brings the best out of us, and we like playing for him. This defense is ready to go for sure.”
Jeff Hafley spent four seasons with the Boston College football program before joining the Packers. However, he had prior NFL coaching experience. Hafley had stints as a secondary/safeties coach and defensive backs coach splits across three teams: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, and San Francisco 49ers, as noted by CBS Sports.
Hafley made plans for the team to play a more aggressive, press-style man coverage when he joined the Packers. His intensity so far during team activities and minicamp signals great things to come for Green Bay’s defense.
Packers’ Keisean Nixon further praises Jeff Hafley
Nixon emphasized that Hafley’s fearlessness helps Green Bay grow.
“He’s not scared of a head coach being an offensive guy,” Nixon said. “Some coaches compliment offensive coaches in practice and stuff like that, but Haf came in right away blitzing on third down, stuff like that. He was ready to go. Jeff is a competitive guy. He is a defensive back coach also, so he brings that. I’ve never had that in the league. I’ve never had my DC be the DB guy too, so it’s kind of running through the back end. I think it’s a great idea. I think it’s a great fit for me. I think it’s a great decision.”
“[Hafley] goes at him [LaFleur]. It don’t matter what Matt says, we’re going to compete for sure,” Nixon added. “I think some coaches compliment offensive coaches if they’re the head coach, and I think Haf came in not really caring about that. He cares about, ‘How can I get my guys on defense to play as the best defense in the league.’ That’s really what [Hafley] was on.”
Halfey appears ready to take the Packers’ defense to the next level. Green Bay needs all the help it can get as it prepares for another season.
The Packers finished the 2023-24 season at 9-8. Their record was good enough to earn them an NFC Wild Card spot, and they took advantage of their opportunity. Jordan Love and company beat the Dallas Cowboys 48-3 in the first round and advanced to face the powerhouse San Francisco 49ers. Green Bay lost the matchup 24-21 after leading early, but the showing was highly encouraging.
It will be interesting to see how Keisean Nixon and the rest of the squad resume their play in the Fall of 2024.
