In his initial month as head coach of the Green Bay Packers, Matt LaFleur dedicated much of his time to assembling a 24-member staff for the upcoming 2019 season. This staff comprised nine offensive coaches, eight defensive coaches, three special teams coaches, and four strength and conditioning coaches.
Nine members of the staff were retained from the previous head coach Mike McCarthy’s team, including defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. Additionally, Luke Getsy, who had previously worked with the Packers for four seasons before a stint at Mississippi State as offensive coordinator, returned as the quarterbacks coach. This left 15 assistants who were new to the Green Bay setup.
Securing a coaching position in the NFL often involves leveraging personal connections, similar to other industries. While many of LaFleur’s staff are collaborating for the first time, they are not entirely unfamiliar with each other. With the exception of receivers coach Alvis Whitted and a few quality-control coaches who lack extensive experience, every member of the staff has at least one colleague with whom they’ve previously worked.
Understanding the dynamics within the coaching staff offers insight into its formation and operation. Particularly crucial is the relationship between LaFleur and his defensive coordinator, Mike Pettine. Although Pettine hasn’t directly worked with LaFleur before, they share connections through various individuals. LaFleur’s mentor, Kyle Shanahan, who was once Pettine’s offensive coordinator in Cleveland, and Matt’s younger brother, Mike LaFleur, who served as a coaching intern during Pettine’s time in Cleveland, contribute to this network. Pettine serves as an invaluable resource for LaFleur as he navigates his role as a new head coach, with potential contributions in staff formation among the many ways he could assist.
