Packers hire former Boston College DC Sean Duggan to be defensive assistant under Jeff Hafely
The Packers reportedly hired Sean Duggan, a top assistant under Jeff Hafley at Boston College, to be a defensive assistant in Green Bay. Here is what you need to know.
The Green Bay Packers have made another addition to the defensive coaching staff, hiring Sean Duggan, according to Aaron Wilson. Duggan will be a defensive assistant with the Packers.
Duggan was a top assistant at Boston College under Jaff Hafley. When Hafley took over as the head coach of Boston College in 2020, he hired Duggan to be the linebackers coach. The two had worked together at Ohio State the year prior when Hafley was the co-defensive coordinator and Duggan was a grad assistant.
From 2020 through 2022, Duggan was the linebackers coach at Boston College and became the co-defensive coordinator in 2023, along with still retaining his title as linebackers coach.
“After working with Sean at Ohio State, he was a guy who jumped out that if I ever landed a head job, I have to hire this guy,” said Hafley when he hired Duggan in 2020 via SI’s BC Bulletin. “He is smart, reliable, sees things on gameday and really understands the big picture. He is well advanced beyond his years and has a chance to be a superstar in our profession.”
According to the Boston College team site, four linebackers under Duggan earned All-ACC honors during his tenure. Current Packers Isaiah McDuffie played under Duggan during his final college season in 2020, and was one of the nation’s top tacklers.
As a defensive assistant in Green Bay, it’s not clear what Duggan’s specific role will be, but he will likely wear a variety of hats and will be another voice in the linebacker room, given his extensive background working with that position group, along with linebacker coach Anthony Campanille.
In addition to making the switch from a 3-4 defense to a 4-3, where there will be three inside linebackers on the field when the Packers are in base, this is a position group in need of depth. Currently on the roster is Quay Walker, Isaiah McDuffie, De’Vondre Campbell, and Christian Young, who was signed to a futures deal in January.
Campbell could be a potential cut candidate, with the team able to save $2.6 million in cap space if they move on from him. Those cap savings swell to over $10 million if the Packers release Campbell with a post-June 1st designation.
Walker has the potential to thrive under Hafley as a weak-side linebacker, tasked with operating in space, where his athleticism can be on display, along with being utilized as a blitzer, where he found success in 2023. Putting Walker in a position to make impact plays more routinely will be a key priority for Hafley and his staff.
“Quay’s a talented player,” said Hafley at his introductory press conference. “As we build this thing, we’re going to make sure he’s in position to make a lot of plays. So whatever we feel, as we piece this together, where that is, that’s where we’ll put him.”
If the Packers had a game tomorrow, McDuffie would likely slot in as the middle linebacker, although Green Bay will try to add some competition there this offseason and likely through the draft. As of now, the Packers still need a strong-side option at the linebacker position, especially if they move on from Campbell.