Jeff Hafley has released a statement about his decision to leave Boston College to become the Green Bay Packers’ defensive coordinator. He spent four years with the Eagles and spent seven seasons in the NFL as a defensive backs coach.
“I loved my four years at Boston College,” Hafley said. “This is an exceptional place to coach given the caliber of student-athletes we recruit, the facilities, and the support from the University and BC fans. I will miss the players who gave so much of themselves these past four years, and my wife Gina and I will certainly miss the BC community and the many friends we have made here.”
As January wraps up – and as it looked like the coaching carousel was going to slow down – Boston College now finds itself getting ready for a coaching search. BC athletic director Blake James said a search will begin immediately.
“As a world-class institution with a strong tradition and a commitment to excellence, we are confident that we will find an exceptional new leader for our football program, and we will continue to do everything we can to support our student-athletes,” James said in a statement.
Hafley amassed a 22-26 record with the Eagles, but is now preparing to return to the NFL. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported the reason for his decision stemmed from the changing landscape in college football, and the need to focus on other areas such as NIL and roster retention.
“He wants to go coach football again in a league that is all about football,” a source told Thamel. “College coaching has become fundraising, NIL and recruiting your own team and transfers. There’s no time to coach football anymore.”
Jeff Hafley to On3’s Pete Nakos: ‘We got to look at the degree aspect of this thing, too’
In a conversation with On3’s Pete Nakos earlier this month – before he decided to leave for Green Bay – Hafley talked about the impact NIL and the transfer portal have had on college football.
“Look, there’s some really good people and some really good agents,” Hafley said. “And just like anything else, some really bad ones that are trying to take advantage of kids. And it’s not right, and it’s not fair. There’s kids that are leaving good academic schools with a semester or two semesters left, where they’re going to get a life-changing degree, and instead, they’re getting convinced to transfer. It’s way bigger than making a few bucks right now.
“I get it, that’s easier said than done. I’m all for it. Let’s pay the players and give them some money. I think it’s all good, and I totally respect it. But we got to look at the degree aspect of this thing, too.”
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