Green Bay Packers Appoint Jonathan Gannon as Defensive Coordinator

The Green Bay Packers have officially announced the hiring of Jonathan Gannon as their new defensive coordinator. Gannon steps into the role previously held by Jeff Hafley, who departed after two seasons to become the new head coach for the Dolphins. Gannon's extensive coaching background includes a recent tenure as head coach for the Arizona Cardinals, a prior stint as defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, and various other positions in professional and collegiate football.

Cardinals Head Coaching Stint

Reports vary regarding the specifics of Gannon's head coaching tenure with the Arizona Cardinals.

• Source 1 states that Gannon served as the head coach for the Arizona Cardinals and was dismissed after the 2025 regular season. This source reports his tenure with the Cardinals lasted three seasons, during which the team achieved a 15-36 record.
• In contrast, Source 2 reports that Gannon became the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals in 2023. This source further details that during Gannon's tenure in Arizona, the team recorded a 15-36 record.

"During Gannon's tenure in Arizona, the team recorded a 15-36 record, which was tied for the third-worst in the league."

Source 2 also provides additional statistics for the Cardinals' defense during this period:

• 1,322 points allowed (third-worst)
• A passer rating of 98.4 (third-worst)
• An Adjusted Net Yards Per Attempt (ANY/A) of 6.7 (third-worst)

During his time as head coach, Gannon transitioned the team's defense from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4. All offensive and defensive coaches under him were new hires, with Nick Rallis serving as his defensive coordinator. Source 2 suggests Gannon's coaching roots draw significantly from the Mike Zimmer tree, noting that five of his initial "on-field" coaches in Arizona had ties to Zimmer.

Prior Defensive Coordinator Role: Philadelphia Eagles

Before his head coaching position with the Cardinals, Gannon held a defensive coordinator role with the Philadelphia Eagles for two years (2021-2022).

• During his time with the Eagles, the defense ranked 12th in passer rating (88.7), 4th in ANY/A (5.2), and 11th in points allowed (729).
• The team posted a 23-11 record and advanced to Super Bowl LVII.

"The team posted a 23-11 record and advanced to Super Bowl LVII."

His staff during this period included Tracy Rocker (defensive line), Nick Rallis (linebackers), and Dennard Wilson (defensive backs), all of whom were hired externally.

Earlier Coaching Experience

Gannon's extensive coaching career also includes:

• Indianapolis Colts (2018-2020): Served as defensive backs coach under defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. The Colts recorded a 28-20 record, allowing a passer rating of 94.0 (18th) and an ANY/A of 6.2 (14th). Gannon adopted the "HITS Principle" (Hustle, Intensity, Takeaways, Smart), a philosophy attributed to Rod Marinelli and also utilized by Eberflus.
• Minnesota Vikings (2014-2017): Assistant defensive backs coach under head coach Mike Zimmer and defensive backs coach Jerry Gray. Over four seasons, the Vikings achieved a 39-25 record, allowed a passer rating of 84.7 (7th in the league), and an ANY/A of 5.5 (5th).
• Tennessee Titans (2012): Defensive quality control coach, working with defensive coordinator Jerry Gray.
• St. Louis Rams (2009): Scout under general manager Billy Devaney.
• Atlanta Falcons (2007): Defensive quality control coach under Bobby Petrino.
• Louisville (2003-2006): Began his coaching career as a student assistant (2003-2005) and graduate assistant (2006) under Bobby Petrino.

Playing Career

Gannon played safety at Louisville, but his playing career concluded due to a hip injury, prompting his transition into coaching.