Multiple reports confirm that Joe Barry, the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, was terminated on Wednesday. The decision followed the Packers’ Week 15 defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a game in which Barry’s performance had come under scrutiny.
While the news of Barry’s dismissal wasn’t entirely unexpected among Packers fans, there was another development today that caught some by surprise.
According to a report from Packers’ reporter Tom Silverstein, the Packers have also fired their strength and conditioning coach Chris Gizzi.
Gizzi, who attended the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs before embarking on his NFL career, earned back-to-back Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1996-97, becoming only the second player in the Academy’s history to achieve this feat. During his senior year, he led the WAC with an impressive 179 tackles.
As part of his commitment to the Air Force, Gizzi spent the 1998 and 1999 seasons on the reserve/military list while he embarked on his professional football journey with the Denver Broncos.
Gizzi’s association with the Packers began in 2000 when he played 11 games during that season. He later returned to the organization in 2013, initially as an intern and eventually taking on the role of assistant strength and conditioning coach.
While Gizzi’s appointment may have taken some by surprise, it could be seen as a sensible move considering the notable number of hamstring injuries the team has experienced over the years.
Many have speculated that the strength and conditioning coach may have played a role in this phenomenon. The future actions of the Packers regarding this position will undoubtedly be closely watched.
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