Packers Coaching Staff Rumors: The search for Dom Capers’ replacement begins

With news swirling around the Green Bay Packers’ general manager job suddenly becoming vacant, the decision to hire a defensive coordinator seems like a bit of an afterthought. However, the Packers have a big decision to make on that front, even though the status of the entire coaching staff is unclear until a new GM comes on board.

For the time being, however, Mike McCarthy will likely begin interviewing coaches anyway in case the new GM does keep the head coach on board. McCarthy has also already purged some of the team’s defensive coaches, firing defensive line coach Mike Trgovac and assistant linebackers coach Scott McCurley in addition to coordinator Dom Capers. However, those still may not be the only changes coming on that side of the football.

Currently, there are several candidates who have been mentioned as possible replacements for Capers. Internally, safeties coach Darren Perry and cornerbacks coach Joe Whitt, Jr. are among the possibilities. The big external name is Vic Fangio, former defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers.

Keep it here as we update you on any relevant news and reports regarding the Packers’ coaching staff and defensive coordinator search.

RUMORS AND UPDATES

(1/11, 7:50 PM CT) The Packers have reportedly hired Patrick Graham to the coaching staff, per Tom Silverstein. Graham is expected to take over as linebackers coach.

(1/10, 7:30 PM CT) Joe Whitt, Jr. has been promoted from cornerbacks coach to the newly-created position of defensive passing game coordinator, reports Tom Silverstein.

(1/10, 9:45 AM CT) The Packers will interview Patrick Graham for a position on the defensive coaching staff, per Tom Silverstein. Graham was the New York Giants’ defensive line coach and had previously worked for the New England Patriots as defensive line coach and linebackers coach.

(1/9, 9:50 PM CT) Frank Cignetti, Jr. is under serious consideration as the Packers’ new quarterbacks coach, reports Lance Allan. Cignetti was the QBs coach for the New York Giants under former Packers assistant Ben McAdoo. UPDATE: The Packers have indeed hired Cignetti, per reports.

(1/9, 8:00 PM CT) Packers are expected to hire Mike Pettine as defensive coordinator, per Adam Schefter.

(1/8, 12:20 PM CT) Jerry Montgomery has accepted a job as a co-defensive line coach at Texas A&M, per reports. Montgomery vacates the defensive front assistant job, which was created for him when he was hired in 2016.

(1/6, 1:00 PM CT) The Packers are expected to hire Joe Philbin onto offensive coaching staff, possibly as offensive coordinator.

(1/5, 9:45 PM CT) The Packers have reportedly hired Jim Hostler as wide receivers coach, to replace the departed Luke Getsy. Hostler coached wide receivers for the Indianapolis Colts in 2015 and tight ends in 2016-17. (Reported by Alex Marvez of Sporting News.) Pro Football Talk reports that the Packers offered the WRs job to Edgar Bennett, but he turned it down.

(1/5, 3:45 PM CT) The Lions have denied the Packers permission to interview Teryl Austin, according to Ian Rapoport.

(1/5, 3:00 PM CT) It appears likely that Edgar Bennett will indeed move on to another team, reports Tom Silverstein.

(1/5, 2:40 PM CT) The Packers are looking to interview Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin for the open DC job, per Ian Rapoport.

(1/5, 12:00 Noon CT) Sporting News’ Alex Marvez reports that safeties coach Darren Perry is currently the front-runner to replace Dom Capers as Packers defensive coordinator, and that he will interview for the job on Saturday.

(1/4, 12:05 PM CT) The Lions confirmed that they conducted their interview for Winston Moss for their open head coaching job.

(1/3, 1:45 PM CT) The Chicago Bears announced that they interviewed defensive coordinator Vic Fangio for their open head coaching job on Wednesday. Fangio is seen as one of the prime external candidates for the Packers’ DC job.

(1/2, 12:45 PM CT) The Packers are reportedly considering changes on the offensive coaching staff, reports ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. The team needs to replace wide receivers coach Luke Getsy, but the changes could include moving offensive coordinator Edgar Bennett into another role.

(1/2, 12:30 PM CT) Mike McCarthy received a one-year contract extension during the 2017 season, which means that he is now signed through 2019. The news broke on Tuesday afternoon, but the deal was apparently actually finalized several weeks ago.

(1/2, 9:45 AM CT) Bob McGinn reports that some people inside the Packers organization are hoping that Associate Head Coach/Linebackers coach Winston Moss will leave the team voluntarily for another job. McGinn also reports that the Lions have requested permission to interview Moss for their open head coaching job.

COACHING STAFF STATUS

Stay up-to-date with a list of the Packers’ coaching positions and the changes made for 2018.