Big Blue Interactive The Corner Forum    
Back to the Corner

Jeff Hafley (Packers DC) potential HC target

Sean : 11/7/2025 9:35 am
I was reading up on his resume and I think he makes a ton of sense for NYG and specifically Mara. A few reasons why:

-He’s a NJ guy.
-Experience as a head coach at Boston College which Mara has strong ties. Coughlin was also a head coach at BC.
-He should have access to a strong coaching staff coming from Shanahan/McVay tree.

NYG has not hired a defensive minded head coach since Parcells. I think Hafley would be a very intriguing hire and I really like his resume.
Hafley and Minter are on my shortlist  
JonC : 11/7/2025 9:39 am : link
both would need to bring a strong offensive mind at OC.
I don't care if the candidate's experience is offense or defense. In  
Ira : 11/7/2025 9:39 am : link
either case, he needs to hire a good coordinator for the other side of the ball.
Same.  
Optimus-NY : 11/7/2025 9:39 am : link
I think he'd just what the doctor ordered.
RE: Hafley and Minter are on my shortlist  
Optimus-NY : 11/7/2025 9:40 am : link
In comment 17001872 JonC said:
Quote:
both would need to bring a strong offensive mind at OC.


+1
Interesting candidate  
M.S. : 11/7/2025 9:40 am : link
although he didn't exactly light it up at BC.
RE: I don't care if the candidate's experience is offense or defense. In  
Optimus-NY : 11/7/2025 9:42 am : link
In comment 17001873 Ira said:
Quote:
either case, he needs to hire a good coordinator for the other side of the ball.


With Hafley I want to know who his Offensive Coordinator and QB Coach would be. I don't want Mike LaFleur. Thankfully he's the Rams' OC now, so that shouldn't be a worry.
RE: Interesting candidate  
Ash_3 : 11/7/2025 9:45 am : link
In comment 17001876 M.S. said:
Quote:
although he didn't exactly light it up at BC.


I read somewhere here that he struggled partly because he didn't like the recruiting/schmoozing aspect of the job. I hope we can get more of a sense of that, because that's a key question for me.

The second is do people know what kind of defense the Packers run? I've read it's mainly single high safety in a 4-3, but would like to hear more. In theory I don't think shifting to a 4-3 would be too hard for our players. Burns might struggle a little given he's a little lighter than your typical 4-3 DE, and perhaps the same for Carter, but Hafley's done a terrific job integrating Parsons.

He’s been an NFL DC  
JoeyBigBlue : 11/7/2025 9:49 am : link
For 2 seasons. In this market, I prefer a more experienced Head Coach.
Stefanski is my top choice but Hafley is interesting  
Eric on Li : 11/7/2025 9:54 am : link
i consider his time at BC head coaching experience, but it wasn't particularly impressive. best season was 7-6 with a bowl win over SMU. fine but nothing stand out. he inherited a 6-7 team and went 7-6 with it. they did worse in the ACC with him than they did with Addazio before him. Bill Obrien was 7-6 year after he left with more wins in ACC play.
Richard Sherman  
Sammo85 : 11/7/2025 10:08 am : link
raves about him and thinks he'll be great as a head coach based on his approach, processes.
RE: Richard Sherman  
Eric on Li : 11/7/2025 10:12 am : link
In comment 17001907 Sammo85 said:
Quote:
raves about him and thinks he'll be great as a head coach based on his approach, processes.


he was a DBs coach so I assume they crossed paths (SF?) or at least see things from a similar pov.

predicting the jump from coordinator to HC is even more difficult than predicting the jump of QBs from college to pros, in Hafley's case i probably count his 4 years as HC at BC as more useful to evaluating him than anything else, and it wasn't strong evidence for or against him.
Yes, please  
UberAlias : 11/7/2025 10:13 am : link
Checks lot of boxes.
I would interview  
Mike in NY : 11/7/2025 10:14 am : link
Along with fellow Green Bay assistant Rich Bisaccia
RE: RE: Interesting candidate  
GF1080 : 11/7/2025 10:19 am : link
In comment 17001883 Ash_3 said:
Quote:
In comment 17001876 M.S. said:


Quote:


although he didn't exactly light it up at BC.



I read somewhere here that he struggled partly because he didn't like the recruiting/schmoozing aspect of the job. I hope we can get more of a sense of that, because that's a key question for me.

The second is do people know what kind of defense the Packers run? I've read it's mainly single high safety in a 4-3, but would like to hear more. In theory I don't think shifting to a 4-3 would be too hard for our players. Burns might struggle a little given he's a little lighter than your typical 4-3 DE, and perhaps the same for Carter, but Hafley's done a terrific job integrating Parsons.


He was a phenomenal recruiter at Pitt and then Rutgers. Considered one of the best in the country at the time. Followed Schiano to Tampa. He's learned a lot. At BC I'm not sure what happened recruiting wise and if he was sick of it but before then it was a major strength of his.
RE: RE: RE: Interesting candidate  
Mike in NY : 11/7/2025 10:23 am : link
In comment 17001926 GF1080 said:
Quote:
In comment 17001883 Ash_3 said:


Quote:


In comment 17001876 M.S. said:


Quote:


although he didn't exactly light it up at BC.



I read somewhere here that he struggled partly because he didn't like the recruiting/schmoozing aspect of the job. I hope we can get more of a sense of that, because that's a key question for me.

The second is do people know what kind of defense the Packers run? I've read it's mainly single high safety in a 4-3, but would like to hear more. In theory I don't think shifting to a 4-3 would be too hard for our players. Burns might struggle a little given he's a little lighter than your typical 4-3 DE, and perhaps the same for Carter, but Hafley's done a terrific job integrating Parsons.




He was a phenomenal recruiter at Pitt and then Rutgers. Considered one of the best in the country at the time. Followed Schiano to Tampa. He's learned a lot. At BC I'm not sure what happened recruiting wise and if he was sick of it but before then it was a major strength of his.


You could be a great HS recruiter, but struggle with the transfer portal where everyone with eligibility is essentially a Free Agent. Having to deal with that in addition to HS and the other aspects of being a Head Coach wears on you.
I prefer  
jvm52106 : 11/7/2025 10:27 am : link
Chris Shula and bring over Tony Pastoors to be President and GM too.
....  
ryanmkeane : 11/7/2025 10:56 am : link
My top 3 candidates would be him, Flores, and Minter...if they would actual consider Flores depending on the lawsuit thing.
RE: RE: RE: Interesting candidate  
Eric on Li : 11/7/2025 11:03 am : link
In comment 17001926 GF1080 said:
Quote:
In comment 17001883 Ash_3 said:


Quote:


In comment 17001876 M.S. said:


Quote:


although he didn't exactly light it up at BC.



I read somewhere here that he struggled partly because he didn't like the recruiting/schmoozing aspect of the job. I hope we can get more of a sense of that, because that's a key question for me.

The second is do people know what kind of defense the Packers run? I've read it's mainly single high safety in a 4-3, but would like to hear more. In theory I don't think shifting to a 4-3 would be too hard for our players. Burns might struggle a little given he's a little lighter than your typical 4-3 DE, and perhaps the same for Carter, but Hafley's done a terrific job integrating Parsons.




He was a phenomenal recruiter at Pitt and then Rutgers. Considered one of the best in the country at the time. Followed Schiano to Tampa. He's learned a lot. At BC I'm not sure what happened recruiting wise and if he was sick of it but before then it was a major strength of his.


NIL i'm sure. Even still the NFL doesn't need recruiting, it needs high level coaching/strategy/systems/staff building/player dev. His record at BC appears pretty ho hum and similar to BOB and Addazio before him.
RE: RE: RE: RE: Interesting candidate  
Mike in NY : 11/7/2025 11:14 am : link
In comment 17001974 Eric on Li said:
Quote:
In comment 17001926 GF1080 said:


Quote:


In comment 17001883 Ash_3 said:


Quote:


In comment 17001876 M.S. said:


Quote:


although he didn't exactly light it up at BC.



I read somewhere here that he struggled partly because he didn't like the recruiting/schmoozing aspect of the job. I hope we can get more of a sense of that, because that's a key question for me.

The second is do people know what kind of defense the Packers run? I've read it's mainly single high safety in a 4-3, but would like to hear more. In theory I don't think shifting to a 4-3 would be too hard for our players. Burns might struggle a little given he's a little lighter than your typical 4-3 DE, and perhaps the same for Carter, but Hafley's done a terrific job integrating Parsons.




He was a phenomenal recruiter at Pitt and then Rutgers. Considered one of the best in the country at the time. Followed Schiano to Tampa. He's learned a lot. At BC I'm not sure what happened recruiting wise and if he was sick of it but before then it was a major strength of his.



NIL i'm sure. Even still the NFL doesn't need recruiting, it needs high level coaching/strategy/systems/staff building/player dev. His record at BC appears pretty ho hum and similar to BOB and Addazio before him.


But the ability to freely transfer in college is Free Agency on steroids. It is hard to put together a team when 80%+ of your players are essentially on 1 year deals.

If I was an owner, my short list not counting any current Head Coach who is fired would be as follows:

Prior NFL Head Coach Experience - Kliff Kingsbury, Lane Kiffin, Rich Bisaccia, Steve Spagnuolo

No prior NFL Head Coach Experience - Jesse Minter, Jeff Hafley, Chris Shula
Because of Dart  
AlexB123! : 11/7/2025 11:42 am : link
And several nice pieces like Nabors, Skatt, Burns , Thibs, Sexy, and Carter along with Thomas , the NEW YORK GIANTS job will be the premier coaching job in the league. Fear not kids, we WILL be good next year!!!
RE: Stefanski is my top choice but Hafley is interesting  
Stars_and_stripes : 11/7/2025 11:47 am : link
In comment 17001890 Eric on Li said:
Quote:
i consider his time at BC head coaching experience, but it wasn't particularly impressive. best season was 7-6 with a bowl win over SMU. fine but nothing stand out. he inherited a 6-7 team and went 7-6 with it. they did worse in the ACC with him than they did with Addazio before him. Bill Obrien was 7-6 year after he left with more wins in ACC play.


Eric curious, why Stefanski as your top?

Also is Hafley primarily a two high safety guy?
RE: I would interview  
FranknWeezer : 11/7/2025 11:50 am : link
In comment 17001917 Mike in NY said:
Quote:
Along with fellow Green Bay assistant Rich Bisaccia


Not that he crossed paths or overlapped with Dart at all, but Bisaccia is an Ole Miss guy, fwiw.
Also needs to be a good talent evaluator  
widmerseyebrow : 11/7/2025 11:52 am : link
In case Schoen is staying. Schoen defers all the big picks to his coaching staff.
Sign me up...  
IchabodGiant : 11/7/2025 11:55 am : link
.
RE: RE: I would interview  
Mike in NY : 11/7/2025 11:55 am : link
In comment 17002020 FranknWeezer said:
Quote:
In comment 17001917 Mike in NY said:


Quote:


Along with fellow Green Bay assistant Rich Bisaccia



Not that he crossed paths or overlapped with Dart at all, but Bisaccia is an Ole Miss guy, fwiw.


I noticed he was there when Gruden brought him to the NFL. People want Gruden, but it was Bisaccia who stabalized a very questionable lockerroom after Gruden was let go. The players wanted him to get the job, but Marc Davis's ego caused them to go with Josh McDaniels. Now as AHC and ST in Green Bay he is getting experience in a different scheme.
RE: RE: RE: RE: RE: Interesting candidate  
Eric on Li : 11/7/2025 12:10 pm : link
In comment 17001986 Mike in NY said:
Quote:


NIL i'm sure. Even still the NFL doesn't need recruiting, it needs high level coaching/strategy/systems/staff building/player dev. His record at BC appears pretty ho hum and similar to BOB and Addazio before him.



But the ability to freely transfer in college is Free Agency on steroids. It is hard to put together a team when 80%+ of your players are essentially on 1 year deals.

If I was an owner, my short list not counting any current Head Coach who is fired would be as follows:

Prior NFL Head Coach Experience - Kliff Kingsbury, Lane Kiffin, Rich Bisaccia, Steve Spagnuolo

No prior NFL Head Coach Experience - Jesse Minter, Jeff Hafley, Chris Shula


in the NFL half of the roster is 1 year players and there is huge turnover year after year.

grad transfers have almost certainly helped less big name schools (like BC) as much as big schools. in Hafleys case he had Zay Flowers (who had transfer opps and didnt take them) and im sure he was able to fill in depth from lower division or less conference schools as well as taking guys who were higher end recruits at higher end up programs not getting playing time. Teams like SMU have thrived by basically becoming the minor league team of bigger programs (in SMU's case they get all the high end recruits from Miami who aren't getting enough playing time and want more).
BC is a super tough gig in the NIL era  
GiantGrit : 11/7/2025 12:11 pm : link
Even Bill O'Brien is really struggling there year 2. Not a total exoneration of Hafley, didn't follow the program closely when he was there.

He's on the list. The two first time guys who interest me are him and Kubiak (the Seattle one).
RE: RE: Stefanski is my top choice but Hafley is interesting  
Eric on Li : 11/7/2025 12:25 pm : link
In comment 17002018 Stars_and_stripes said:
Quote:
In comment 17001890 Eric on Li said:


Quote:


i consider his time at BC head coaching experience, but it wasn't particularly impressive. best season was 7-6 with a bowl win over SMU. fine but nothing stand out. he inherited a 6-7 team and went 7-6 with it. they did worse in the ACC with him than they did with Addazio before him. Bill Obrien was 7-6 year after he left with more wins in ACC play.



Eric curious, why Stefanski as your top?


2x coach of the year, 2x in the playoffs, has a background with QBs and also a good track record hiring good staffs. He got Bill Callahan when Joe Judge didnt, his defensive coordinators were Joe Woods who has been decent and Jim Schwartz who has obviously been very good for a long time.

His career record has now dipped under .500 and he's strung together 2 consecutive very poor years, but a lot of that is the fall out of Watson - who we can attest was terrible last year before tearing the achilles.

this year was their first with a 1st round pick because of the watson deal, and since his contract was fully guaranteed, there wasnt much anyone could do about pivoting off him. with hindsight they should have taken dart in the top 5 but there are 24 other picks ahead of dart that would say the same thing.

I don't think Stefanski is a star or anything but I think he's close to the Vrabel/Quinn tier of guys who had enough success in their first chance to deserve a 2nd chance.
Count me in on suggestion  
Crazed Dogs : 11/7/2025 1:04 pm : link
I say it all the time I want to go back to Giant football... strong in the trenches.. a strong defense. A defensive guy as HC would be welcome with me.

With Dart and Skattebo they want they have offensive leaders with leadership and grit... throw in Nabers and a good offensive line ..some 2 TE looks I am in
This sounds like no shit  
BH28 : 11/7/2025 1:18 pm : link
But the staff build up is more important than the HC experience.

Judge and Daboll have built garbage staffs. Guys like Dan Campbell build really good staffs there they lose both coordinators and don't miss a beat
Definitely doesn't seem like a bad candidate  
Chris684 : 11/7/2025 1:53 pm : link
if we go the first timer route.

I do have to say though, the Salah idea is growing on me.

Salah with Mike McDaniel as OC is something I'd be very excited about.
Maybe it's just me  
Greg from LI : 11/7/2025 2:54 pm : link
Maybe I haven't seen enough of the Packers but, when I have seen them, their defense really didn't look like anything special. Add that to his unimpressive HC stint in college and I don't see the big deal about this guy.
RE: RE: RE: Stefanski is my top choice but Hafley is interesting  
Stars_and_stripes : 11/7/2025 4:34 pm : link
In comment 17002062 Eric on Li said:
Quote:
In comment 17002018 Stars_and_stripes said:


Quote:


In comment 17001890 Eric on Li said:


Quote:


i consider his time at BC head coaching experience, but it wasn't particularly impressive. best season was 7-6 with a bowl win over SMU. fine but nothing stand out. he inherited a 6-7 team and went 7-6 with it. they did worse in the ACC with him than they did with Addazio before him. Bill Obrien was 7-6 year after he left with more wins in ACC play.



Eric curious, why Stefanski as your top?




2x coach of the year, 2x in the playoffs, has a background with QBs and also a good track record hiring good staffs. He got Bill Callahan when Joe Judge didnt, his defensive coordinators were Joe Woods who has been decent and Jim Schwartz who has obviously been very good for a long time.

His career record has now dipped under .500 and he's strung together 2 consecutive very poor years, but a lot of that is the fall out of Watson - who we can attest was terrible last year before tearing the achilles.

this year was their first with a 1st round pick because of the watson deal, and since his contract was fully guaranteed, there wasnt much anyone could do about pivoting off him. with hindsight they should have taken dart in the top 5 but there are 24 other picks ahead of dart that would say the same thing.

I don't think Stefanski is a star or anything but I think he's close to the Vrabel/Quinn tier of guys who had enough success in their first chance to deserve a 2nd chance.


Sound reasoning. I could get behind that. Truthfully between the Hot OC candidates and guys that might get fired. This is a bumper crop.
RE: Definitely doesn't seem like a bad candidate  
Coughlin's Icy Stare : 11/7/2025 5:15 pm : link
In comment 17002145 Chris684 said:
Quote:
if we go the first timer route.

I do have to say though, the Salah idea is growing on me.

Salah with Mike McDaniel as OC is something I'd be very excited about.


It will either be sneaky good, or a hilarious epic failure. Have reservations of McDaniel, too much offensive whizzbanginess.

Saleh you really do have to say handled himself as well as anyone could given his sit with the Jets. Did not completely mentally meltdown under the pressure like Giants coaches.
I grew up with Hafley in Montvale  
State Your Name : 11/7/2025 7:43 pm : link
All he’s cared about has been football since 3rd grade pee-wees. He’s as smart, passionate and charismatic as anyone I’ve ever known. He’s definitely deserves a shot at a top job.

He was definitely disillusioned by the college atmosphere after BC, and absolutely loves coaching in the NFL.
He's on my short wishlist  
Jay on the Island : 11/7/2025 8:24 pm : link
He would just need to bring in an innovative OC to run the offense.
Back to the Corner