GREEN BAY, Wis. — On Wednesday, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur promised he'd start assembling his coaching staff "immediately" after his introductory press conference. He began that work as promised.
The 49ers denied a few interview requests Saturday from the Packers to interview some offensive assistants: Packers coach Matt LaFleur's younger brother, Mike LaFleur; Mike McDaniel; and Rich Scangarello.
Packers and HC Matt LaFleur were denied permission to interview/hire younger brother, Mike LaFleur, the 49ers’ WR/passing-game specialist. 49ers told Packers, Browns and Vikings no on talking to Mike LaFleur. Also rejected interview requests on Mike McDaniel and Rich Scangarello.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 12, 2019
LaFleur also reportedly interviewed former Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who interviewed for the head coach job earlier this month, for Green Bay's offensive coordinator vacancy. LaFleur also reportedly interviewed former Jacksonville offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett on Friday.
According to Rob Demovsky of ESPN, the Browns were set to interview the Packers' offensive line coach/run game coordinator, James Campen, on Saturday. He's been coaching for the Packers since 2004.
James Campen is interviewing with the Cleveland Browns today, according to league sources.
Details here: https://t.co/GbmbBXV8L5…
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) January 12, 2019
Also on the offensive side of the ball, wide receivers coach David Raih was also let go, according to ESPN.
Special teams coordinator Ron Zook was fired, according to ESPN. That move was widely expected after the unit went from No. 14 in 2017 to No. 28 in special teams rankings on FootballOutsiders.com.
The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported the Packers were one of multiple teams pursuing Dolphins special team coach Darren Rizzi.
On the defensive side of the ball, one big change was made Friday: the firing of defensive pass game coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Whitt has been with the Packers since 2008, was passed over for the defensive coordinator position last year, and became the first defensive assistant reportedly fired since LaFleur took over.
The Packers also announced Friday that LaFleur will be retaining defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.
LaFleur said on Sirius XM Friday that Pettine's experience as the Browns head coach from 2014-2015 was key to keeping him on: "Here's a guy who has been a head coach in the national Football League, and it's going to be somebody that I can lean on because there's going to be certain circumstances that come up that hey, maybe I haven't been through."
Pettine coached a unit in 2018 that featured 16 different players record at least a half sack, finishing No. 7 in sacks per pass attempt (8.35 percent). The pass defense under Pettine ranked 12th, improving from 23rd in 2017. On third downs, the Packers also improved markedly under Pettine: No. 9 (21.9 percent) in 2018, compared to No. 26 in 2017.
