Who Should MLF Pick As Defensive Coordinator?

[Bretsky]

I would not mind Leonhard at all now. I think he's much better prepared to be an NFL DC now than he was in 2021.

Listed to the Barry Alvarez show last night. He's of course very loyal to his own...a LOUD QUOTE


Matt LaFleur should go find the best coach out there, and that is Jimmy Leonard, END OF STORY

For a Badger guy that was fun to hear. Now with all that aside, I have seen Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy get the most out of Wisconsin for many years. The Defense has always played better than the talent. When Rex Ryan was hired as head coach he said the first thing he wanted was to sign Jimmy Leonard because he was the director of the defense. Denver thinks so well of him and didn't want to lose him so they gave him an Associate Head Coach position. Hoping Van Joseph does not get the job because I think Payton would have the DC position to him immediately.

We're interviwing some no nothings. If you are going to consider guys with no NFL proven playcalling success, I've got THREE WORDS for the FLOWER..........

JIMMY
JIMMY
JIMMY

I still remember arguing with Tex who thought our defense had the players to match up with Ohio State on defense. We never did, but we played better than our talent. And he's a fiery guy who the players would love.

I'm still fine with Morris (but we've got competition there and some think he's headed to SF
I'm still fine with Gus Bradley (doubt he's leaving). And I'm fine with Schwarts

If not,, then let's all say it together...JIMMY JIMMY JIMMY

[Joemailman]

Bill Huber
@BillHuberNFL

Al Harris didn't intercept a lot of passes in his NFL career, but his secondaries have been prolific. He's the latest to interview for the Packers' defensive coordinator vacancy. ⬇️

[Bretsky]

Bill Huber
@BillHuberNFL

Al Harris didn't intercept a lot of passes in his NFL career, but his secondaries have been prolific. He's the latest to interview for the Packers' defensive coordinator vacancy. ⬇️

IF we don't bother to interview Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy it's going to be disappointing.

Then again, I still am bitter over:

Terdell Buckley over Troy Vincent
Robert Ferguson over Chris Chambers
Kevin King and Vince Beigel over TJ Watt

[Bretsky]

Bill Huber
@BillHuberNFL

Al Harris didn't intercept a lot of passes in his NFL career, but his secondaries have been prolific. He's the latest to interview for the Packers' defensive coordinator vacancy. ⬇️

Huber does a good job; he's in the open your wallets on assistant coaches camp as well

[Joemailman]

Official candidates so far:

Daronte Jones
Credentials: Defensive passing-game coordinator, Minnesota Vikings.

Jones was defensive backs coach for the Vikings in 2020 before a one-year stint as LSU’s defensive coordinator. He returned to Minnesota in 2022 as defensive backs coach before adding the title of defensive passing-game coordinator in 2023.

The past three seasons, the Vikings ranked 11th in opponent passer rating and ninth in interceptions as part of a defense that ranked third in points allowed.

Al Harris
Credentials: Defensive backs coach and defensive passing-game coordinator, Chicago Bears. Packers Hall of Fame cornerback.

Al Harris didn’t intercept a lot of passes during his NFL career – 21 in 14 seasons, to be exact. His secondaries, however, have produced interceptions by the bushel.

From 2021 through 2024, Harris was the Cowboys’ assistant head coach and defensive backs coach. During that span, they led the NFL with 72 interceptions. This year, the Bears led the NFL with 23 interceptions.

“I never thought he would be coaching,” Hall of Fame teammate Charles Woodson told The Chicago Tribune. “I joke with him all the time that I can’t believe that the guy who only worried about who he was guarding in a particular game, or just playing right corner, would be one day leading a whole secondary and now is a passing game coordinator to go along with it.

Jonathan Gannon
Credentials: Former head coach, Arizona Cardinals; NFC-winning defensive coordinator, Philadelphia Eagles.

During a failed three-year run with the Cardinals, Gannon’s defenses ranked 30th in points allowed, 30th in opponent passer rating, 26th in yards per carry and 25th in takeaways.

However, in helping the Eagles reach the Super Bowl in 2022, they finished eighth in points allowed, second in total defense, first in yards per passing plays and first in sack percentage.


“This guy is an incredible coordinator. People love to play for this guy,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said during the Super Bowl run. “Every time I hear (criticism) about Jonathan Gannon, I laugh to myself. As a matter of fact, coaches from other teams ask me, ‘Does Jonathan Gannon get crap here?’ I’m like, ‘Somehow, yeah.’ Like, this guy is incredible.

“He’s going to be a head football coach in the National Football League because of what he does. This guy is a stud. He’s a stud.”

Christian Parker
Credentials: Defensive passing-game coordinator, Philadelphia Eagles.

Parker got his start in the NFL as a quality-control coach for the Packers in 2019 and 2020, the first two seasons of LaFleur’s tenure. He was defensive backs coach for the Broncos from 2021 through 2023 and added the title of defensive passing-game coordinator for the Eagles the past two seasons.


Vic Fangio was head coach of the Broncos in 2021 and brought Parker with him to Philadelphia when he was hired as defensive coordinator in 2024.

"I could say a lot of things about him,” Eagles standout defensive back Cooper DeJean said recently. “What he’s meant to me and Q (Quinyon Mitchell), too. We’ve had a routine of me and Q go meet with him. two or three times a week just to go over the team we’re playing, talk about different looks. And I don’t think I’d be the player I am or I’d have the success that I’ve had without him.”

During his two years in Philly, the Eagles are second in points allowed, first in opponent passer rating, first in passing yards allowed, second in completion percentage allowed and tied for 14th in interceptions.

[texaspackerbacker]

I wouldn't mind having Leonhard. I wouldn't mind having Christian Parker - the little I've heard about him. I also wouldn't mind getting Al Harris. Gannon and Jones and the other I've heard mentioned I'd rather not have the Packers get.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

With Mike McDaniel off the market, I am now rooting for Ole Al Harris.

Harris, proof of Mike Sherman’s competence as GM, has played or coached in every defensive system in the known universe. 4-3 Bump N Run. 3-4 Zone Blitzes. Tampa 2. Cover 3. Engage 8. Hell, even the Pistol Force.

Time to bring Harris back to cold, dark and dull Green Bay.

[Anti-Polar Bear]

I wouldn't mind having Leonhard. I wouldn't mind having Christian Parker - the little I've heard about him. I also wouldn't mind getting Al Harris. Gannon and Jones and the other I've heard mentioned I'd rather not have the Packers get.

Pretty sure Leonhard burned down bridges with the Frog.

[Joemailman]

Looks like Christian Parker going to Dallas.

[Joemailman]

Paul Kuharsky
@PaulKuharskyNFL

Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson is not being retained by the #Titans and Robert Saleh.

Dennard interviewed for the Packers DC job in 2024.

[Fritz]

Hire Jim Leonhard to Bretsky stops saying Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy.

But I'm guessing The Flower got his nose bent out of joint after the last go-round.

[Bretsky]

Looks like Christian Parker going to Dallas.

Good; and except for Dan Quinn all the Boyz Defenses Suck.

He will too

It's too bad the Packers hate Badgers

The perfect choice is available for interviews next Monday

[Joemailman]

Ravens signing Chargers' Jesse Minter as HC adds 1 more team looking for a DC.

[call_me_ishmael]

I think the Packers will hire Jimmy. Just a hunch. Although who knows, who wants to move their kids around again? Maybe to come back home. But then I think they're good for awhile. That's ofc wild ass speculation but I wouldn't personally move my kids around like that when I'm good and my kids are good financially. Not worth it.

[Bretsky]

Ravens signing Chargers' Jesse Minter as HC adds 1 more team looking for a DC.

AND one more team looking for a very qualified Offensive Coordinator, Special Teams Coach, and Offensive Line Coach

While the Flower, hides under his shell rather than making the bold moves most feel are so so obvious to make