Packers hiring Joe Barry to be next defensive coordinator
The Green Bay Packers are hiring Joe Barry to be the team’s new defensive coordinator, according to both Rob Demovsky of ESPN and Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Previously a defensive coordinator for both the Detroit Lions and Washington Football Team, Barry is heading to Green Bay after four years serving as the assistant head coach and linebackers coach for Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams.
Barry had accepted a job with former Rams defensive coordinator and current Chargers head coach Brandon Staley to be the team’s new defensive passing game coordinator.
Barry will replace Mike Pettine, who was the Packers coordinator each of the last three seasons.
LaFleur and Barry worked together on McVay’s staff in Los Angeles in 2017, although LaFleur coordinated the offense and Barry handled linebackers.
The Packers picked Barry over Rams safeties coach Ejiro Evero after Wisconsin coordinator Jim Leonhard passed on taking the job.
Barry was the defensive coordinator in Detroit in 2007 and 2008. The Lions defense ranked last in yards and points allowed. With Berry as the defensive coordinator in 2015 and 2016, Washington ranked 17th and 19th in points allowed, respectively, and 28th in yards both seasons.
Barry won a Super Bowl as the linebackers coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2002.
Of note, McVay has made outside hires at defensive coordinator with Barry on the staff each of the last two seasons.
