Anthony Campanile Leaves Green Bay for Jacksonville’s Defensive Coordinator Role

The Green Bay Packers have lost a key piece of their coaching staff. Linebackers coach and run game coordinator Anthony Campanile has been hired as the new defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars. According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Campanile will join the staff of newly appointed head coach Liam Coen, taking on a significant role in shaping the Jaguars’ defense.

A Prime Opportunity in Jacksonville

Campanile’s new position in Jacksonville is particularly enticing. Under an offensive-minded head coach like Coen, he will have full control over the defense, calling plays and implementing his vision for the unit. This kind of responsibility offers him a chance to prove himself at the highest level of coaching.

Immediate Impact in Green Bay

Although he spent just one season with the Packers, Campanile made a lasting impression. He played a crucial role in the development of rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and helped Quay Walker, a former first-round pick, reach his best form in the NFL.

Perhaps his most significant contribution was overseeing a dramatic turnaround in Green Bay’s run defense. Under his guidance, the unit ranked eighth in EPA per play—a remarkable improvement for a team that had struggled in that area, finishing dead last between 2019 and 2023.

A Respected Leader and Coach

Campanile’s influence extended beyond the field. His leadership and commitment earned him high praise from his peers, including Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.

“He’s one of the best, most loyal people I’ve ever been around,” Hafley said during the season. “He’s one of the best football coaches I’ve ever worked with. I’m glad he was here. More importantly, I think the players loved him, and that’s really important as we build this staff.”

The two coaches share a deep bond, even though they had never worked together before Green Bay. When Hafley left Rutgers for the NFL, he recommended Campanile as his replacement. At the time, Campanile was coaching at Don Bosco Prep, a powerhouse high school program in New Jersey. That move to the college ranks set him on the path to becoming a sought-after defensive mind.

A Climbing Career in Coaching

Campanile’s journey through the coaching ranks has been marked by steady progression and versatility. His career includes stints as a defensive assistant, tight ends coach, and wide receivers coach at Rutgers, followed by a role as defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator at Boston College. He later became the linebackers coach at Michigan before making the leap to the NFL.

Prior to joining the Packers in 2024, Campanile spent four seasons as the Miami Dolphins’ linebackers coach, where he further established his reputation as a rising star in the coaching world.

Who Will Replace Campanile in Green Bay?

With Campanile’s departure, the Packers now face the challenge of finding his replacement. Head coach Matt LaFleur and defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley may look within the organization for a solution, with defensive assistant Sean Duggan emerging as a logical candidate.

Duggan worked closely with Hafley at Boston College, serving as linebackers coach from 2020 and earning a promotion to co-defensive coordinator in 2023. He also has coaching experience at Hawaii and UMass, making him a viable option to step into the role.

However, the Packers may also explore external options, particularly given Campanile’s additional responsibilities as run game coordinator. A more experienced coach could help fill the void left by his departure and maintain the defensive momentum Green Bay built last season.

A New Chapter for Campanile and the Packers

While Green Bay loses a valuable coach, Campanile gains an opportunity to take the next step in his career. As he takes the reins of Jacksonville’s defense, the football world will be watching to see if he can bring the same energy, leadership, and tactical expertise that made him such a difference-maker in Green Bay.