On Wednesday, the Green Bay Packers fired defensive coordinator Joe Barry, a stunning decision. Even though the defense performed admirably in the final two weeks of the season and for the most of the team’s postseason games, their efforts were unable to erase the previous three years of underachievement. Matt LaFleur, the head coach, will now be seeking for his third defensive coordinator in six years.
The Packers’ fanbase, which had never been pleased with Barry’s hiring in the first place, cheered on his dismissal. As many people recall, Jim Leonhard, the Wisconsin Badgers’ defensive coordinator at the time, was offered the position but declined in order to remain in Madison. Leonhard is currently a senior analyst at Illinois.
Leonhard, of course, is a favorite name among supporters as someone the Packers could hire to replace Barry. The circumstance, after all, is unique. Additionally, some fans have identified former Packers cornerback Al Harris as a possible option. Harris is now the defensive backs coach for the Dallas Cowboys.
Obviously, LaFleur and his organization will conduct due diligence and interview a large number of potential applicants. It is critical to the success of this club (and maybe LaFleur’s job) that he makes the correct hire. Despite Barry’s firing, it appears that the team is not fully done with him.
Report suggests that the Green Bay Packers may keep Joe Barry is on staff.
In his insider reporting on Barry’s firing, Rob Demovsky, who covers the Packers for ESPN, shared an intriguing bit of information from Adam Schefter:
“Barry could remain on the Packers’ staff in some capacity — a possibility that is being discussed, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.”
The choice to terminate Barry was the correct one. The defense has not performed as well as it should given that it includes eight past first-round picks. However, Barry was popular with the players, with some publicly advocating for him to keep his job.
Perhaps finding him a new role on staff would be a good idea.
What role might Joe Barry have on the Green Bay Packers’ coaching staff?
Barry has been a successful linebackers coach, having served as a defensive quality control coach for the San Francisco 49ers in 2000 and as defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions (2007-2008) and Washington Commanders (2015-2016). He held this position with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009), the San Diego Chargers (2012-2014), and the Los Angeles Rams (2017-20).
Kirk Oliviadotti is the current Packers linebackers coach, having joined the team in 2019. Oliviadotti’s coaching record before to coming to Green Bay included different jobs with the Washington Commanders, in addition to a time as linebackers coach at Georgia from 2011 to 2013. During his two seasons with Washington, he was the defensive quality control coach and assistant cornerbacks coach (2000-2003), defensive quality control coach and special teams assistant (2004-2005), special teams assistant and defensive line assistant (2006), linebackers coach (2007-2009, 2014-2018), and defensive assistant (2010).
Oliviadotti collaborated with both LaFleur and Barry during their respective stays in Washington. However, his work with the Packers’ linebackers has not been particularly outstanding. They’ve struggled to stop the run throughout his career and haven’t been very impressive, aside from De’Vondre Campbell’s All-Pro season.
Depending on who the next defensive coordinator is, Barry may be retained as a linebackers coach or defensive analyst.
These positions would suit Barry far better than defensive coordinator, and the players might still like having him around.
