The New York Giants are officially in the market for a new head coach, and one name is quickly emerging as a frontrunner: Jeff Hafley. According to reports, the current Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator is viewed as a “heavy favorite” for the job - and when you take a closer look at his resume, it’s easy to see why.
Hafley, 46, has quietly built one of the league’s most respected defensive units in Green Bay. In 2025, the Packers finished top 10 in nearly every major defensive category - fifth in total yards allowed, sixth in points allowed, ninth against the run, and seventh against the pass.
That kind of balance and consistency doesn’t happen by accident. Hafley’s defense wasn’t just good - it was disciplined, physical, and well-coached from top to bottom.
And this isn’t some overnight success story. Hafley’s coaching journey has taken him through just about every level of football.
He got his start at WPI in 2011 and climbed the ladder through stops at Albany, Pittsburgh, and Rutgers before breaking into the NFL with the Buccaneers as an assistant defensive backs coach. From there, he made his mark with the Browns and 49ers, then stepped into the college ranks as co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State in 2019 - a position that quickly propelled him into the head coaching job at Boston College the following year.
That head coaching experience at the collegiate level is a key part of what makes Hafley such a compelling candidate. He’s not just a sharp defensive mind - he’s led a program, managed a staff, and built a culture.
That kind of leadership experience is critical for a team like the Giants, who are looking for more than just X’s and O’s. They need someone who can reset the tone of the locker room and steer the franchise forward.
Hafley also isn’t new to the head coaching rumor mill. He interviewed for the Jets’ top job last offseason, before New York ultimately went with Aaron Glenn. That interest wasn’t a one-off - it was a sign that Hafley’s stock around the league is rising fast.
Another name expected to be in the mix for the Giants is Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, who previously interviewed for the job. Anarumo brings a wealth of NFL experience and has done impressive work in Indianapolis, but at the moment, all eyes seem to be on Hafley.
The Giants have a critical decision to make, and they’re clearly casting a wide net. But if they’re looking for a coach who brings both schematic expertise and proven leadership, Jeff Hafley checks a lot of boxes. With his track record of building elite defenses and his experience running a program, he may just be the right fit at the right time for a franchise in need of a new direction.