Packers add Illinois’ Tim McGarigle to coaching staff

The Green Bay Packers didn’t pursue any sweeping changes to their coaching staff after returning to the NFC title game, but they have made some minor adjustments. The team has hired University of Illinois linebackers coach Tim McGarigle as a defensive quality-control/linebackers coach.

McGarigle, who played a few seasons in the NFL during the mid-2000s, has steadily moved up the coaching ranks over the past five years. After breaking in as a graduate assistant with Northwestern, he moved on to Western Michigan before arriving at Illinois this past season.

While McGarigle’s title takes a hit in Green Bay, he should receive plenty of opportunities to distinguish himself under assistant head coach and linebackers coach Winston Moss. Moss has coached both inside and outside linebackers since Kevin Greene stepped away from football in 2014.

At 33, McGarigle becomes one of the youngest members of the Packers’ coaching staff. Some of his charges, such as linebacker Clay Matthews, are also in their early 30s.