Jeff Hafley Emerges as Candidate in Penn State Head Coaching Search

Penn State’s search for a new head coach has taken an unexpected turn with Jeff Hafley, currently the defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, emerging as a potential candidate. Hafley, who served as Boston College’s head coach from 2020 to 2023, adds a mix of NFL experience and prior collegiate leadership to the mix.

Hafley’s tenure in college football as a head coach was modest. Over four seasons at Boston College, he led the Eagles to two bowl appearances but never won more than seven games in a season. His decision to return to the NFL after his contract concluded highlighted his comfort at the professional level.

Despite lacking direct ties to Penn State, Hafley has connections to the region. He played collegiately at Siena in New York and spent nearly a decade as a defensive assistant at Albany and Pittsburgh, giving him familiarity with Pennsylvania football circles.

The Nittany Lions’ coaching search has been complicated by a series of setbacks. Early candidates like Matt Rhule, Curt Cignetti, Mike Elko, and Eli Drinkwitz quickly removed themselves from consideration, leaving the program scrambling for qualified options as the offseason progresses.

1. Hafley’s Coaching Background

Hafley began his collegiate coaching career as a defensive assistant, building a reputation for developing strong units at Albany and Pittsburgh. His work in the state of Pennsylvania allowed him to cultivate recruiting knowledge and regional connections, though he has never coached directly at Penn State. As Boston College’s head coach, Hafley showed the ability to stabilize a program, taking the Eagles to two bowl games and navigating competitive ACC schedules. While his win totals were modest, he earned respect for his organizational skills and NFL-style defensive schemes. Returning to the NFL as Green Bay’s defensive coordinator, Hafley has gained experience at the highest level of football, working under head coach Matt LaFleur and overseeing a defense with professional-caliber talent. This combination of college and NFL experience adds a unique dimension to his candidacy. His coaching tree under LaFleur is limited, as the Packers’ staff has not yet produced notable head coaches. However, Hafley’s prior head coaching experience gives him credibility that other NFL assistants lack when considering a move back to the college ranks.

2. Penn State’s Coaching Crisis

The Nittany Lions enter the offseason in turmoil. Following James Franklin’s firing, expectations were high for a swift hire, but nearly all early targets have committed elsewhere, leaving Penn State with a thin pool of experienced candidates. Hafley, along with Iowa State’s Matt Campbell, appears to be one of the few viable options remaining. Penn State’s struggles in 2025 have intensified pressure on the program. Entering the season as National Championship favorites with quarterback Drew Allar and star running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton returning, the team instead finished 6-6 and fell out of the top 25 rankings entirely. The disappointing season underscored the rationale behind Franklin’s dismissal but also magnified the challenges the university now faces in hiring a replacement. The combination of high expectations and a shrinking pool of candidates places the program in a precarious position. For Penn State fans, Hafley’s NFL credentials may be appealing, but his lack of college head coaching success leaves questions about his ability to lead the program back to elite status. Regardless, he represents one of the most credible remaining options in a difficult search.

3. Future OutlookFuture Outlook

Penn State must act quickly to stabilize the program and salvage recruiting momentum. The coaching hire will have significant implications for player retention, incoming prospects, and overall program perception. Hafley’s potential move to Penn State would mark his return to college football and provide him an opportunity to prove himself as a head coach at a high-profile Power Five program. His NFL experience could bring new schemes and discipline to a team eager for success. The university’s leadership faces a delicate balancing act: hiring a coach capable of immediate competitiveness while also maintaining long-term program stability. Hafley offers a combination of professional experience and regional familiarity, though questions about his ability to deliver sustained success remain. As the search continues, the decision will define the trajectory of Penn State football for years to come, with fans and alumni watching closely for any sign of a program turnaround.