Green Bay Packers Hire Wisconsin Native As Linebackers Coach

The Green Bay Packers are moving swiftly to reshape their defensive coaching staff under new coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Following the significant addition of Bobby Babich to the secondary, the team has reportedly found its next linebackers coach. According to multiple reports, the Packers are hiring Sam Siefkes to lead the linebacker room, replacing Sean Duggan.

For Packers fans, this name might fly under the radar compared to some bigger hires, but Siefkes brings a crucial element to Green Bay: familiarity with Gannon’s system. This hire isn’t just about filling a vacancy; it’s about installing a specific culture and scheme.

A Wisconsin Native Comes Home To The Green Bay Packers

One of the most interesting aspects of this hire is Siefkes’ deep roots in the Badger State. He is an Oconomowoc, Wisconsin native, making this a homecoming of sorts.

His coaching journey began right here in Wisconsin. Siefkes played defensive back at UW-La Crosse before an injury cut his playing career short, leading him to transition into coaching as a student assistant. He didn’t stop there. He served as a graduate assistant for the Wisconsin Badgers under renowned defensive coordinator Dave Aranda in 2015. Following that, he cut his teeth as the defensive coordinator for UW-Platteville in 2016 and 2017.

While local ties don’t win football games, understanding the culture of football in Wisconsin is never a bad thing for a coach in Green Bay. However, it’s his NFL experience that likely landed him the job.

The Jonathan Gannon Connection

The most critical factor in Siefkes’ hiring is his previous working relationship with Jonathan Gannon. The two worked together closely with the Arizona Cardinals.

When Gannon was building his staff in Arizona, he brought Siefkes on board as the linebackers coach for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. During that time, Siefkes was responsible for developing a linebacker group that exceeded expectations. He helped Kyzir White record a massive 137-tackle season in 2024 and played a role in improving Arizona’s defense from one of the league’s worst units to a respectable group that ranked 15th in points allowed.

In the NFL, trust and communication are everything. Gannon is installing a new defense in Green Bay, and having assistants who already speak his language is invaluable. Siefkes knows exactly what Gannon expects from his linebackers—how they fit into run gaps, how they drop into coverage, and how they communicate calls to the rest of the defense. This familiarity should accelerate the installation process this offseason.

Developing the Linebacker Room

Siefkes arrives in Green Bay with a clear mandate: maximize the talent in the middle of the defense. The Packers linebackers coach will inherit a room with both established talent and high-ceiling prospects.

• Quay Walker: If the team is able to work out a team-friendly deal, the former first-round pick has all the physical tools in the world but has struggled with consistency. Unlocking Walker’s full potential will likely be job number one for Siefkes.
• Edgerrin Cooper: The rookie showed flashes of brilliance last season. Siefkes needs to help him take the next step from “flashy rookie” to “reliable starter.”
• Isaiah McDuffie: A reliable veteran presence who fits well in almost any scheme.

Siefkes’ track record suggests he is up for the challenge. His resume includes stops as a defensive coordinator at the collegiate level (Wofford and Virginia Tech), as well as defensive quality control and assistant linebacker roles with the Minnesota Vikings. He has seen the game from multiple angles, which helps in teaching the nuances of the position.

What This Means for the Packers Defense

This hire reinforces the idea that the Packers are fully committed to Gannon’s vision. By surrounding the new DC with coaches like Bobby Babich (Secondary/Pass Game Coordinator) and now Sam Siefkes, Matt LaFleur is ensuring that there is no friction in the transition.

We can expect the Packers linebackers to be disciplined and aggressive. Gannon’s scheme often puts a lot of responsibility on the linebackers to cover ground and make plays in space. Siefkes’ experience in Arizona suggests he knows how to prepare players for those exact demands.

As the Green Bay Packers coaching staff finalizes its roster, the picture is becoming clearer. This is going to be a modern, adaptable defense led by coaches who have risen through the ranks by proving they can develop talent. For a Packers defense that has underachieved relative to its talent level in recent years, a fresh, cohesive coaching staff might be exactly what the doctor ordered.