Rich Bisaccia exit gives Packers fresh start, yet awkward timing complicates replacement plan
Packers have some options for the staff.
Fans wanted it, fans got it. Rich Bisaccia decided to step down from his positions as assistant head coach and special teams coordinator of the Green Bay Packers after four seasons with the organization.
“After taking some time to reflect over the last few weeks, I have made the decision to step down as the assistant head coach and special teams coordinator of the Green Bay Packers,” Bisaccia said via a statement. “I am incredibly grateful to Matt LaFleur, Brian Gutekunst, Ed Policy and Mark Murphy for their unwavering trust and support throughout my time in Green Bay. I am also thankful to the players for their consistent work and relentless effort to improve every single day. I would like to thank everyone in the organization for their dedication and commitment. The people in this building make it a special place to work.”
Timing is complicated
The Packers didn’t have much success on special teams with Rich Bisaccia as the coordinator, and key mistakes in the area were decisive in at least two of the last three seasons in the playoffs — costly missed kicks against the San Francisco 49ers after the 2023 season and against the Chicago Bears last month. Green Bay finished the 2025 season at 21st on special teams by DVOA.
While Bisaccia’s decision may be a perfect fresh start, the fact that he took so long to make the final decision puts head coach Matt LaFleur in a tougher spot to hire a new coach.
“While we are disappointed to lose a person and coach as valuable as Rich, we respect his decision to step down from the Packers,” LaFleur said. “Rich was a tremendous resource to me and our entire coaching staff who had a profound impact on our players and our culture throughout the building.
Rich Bisaccia was the third special teams coordinator under LaFleur, after unsuccessful stints for Shawn Mennenga and Maurice Drayton.
Replacement options
The most natural option to replace Bisaccia would have been former assistant special teams coach Byron Storer, but he was hired by the Cleveland Browns as the coordinator. The only coach who’s still on the staff in that phase of the game is quality control coach Cory Harkey.
In terms of experience, the best option would probably be Ben Kotwica, the Baltimore Ravens senior special teams assistant — he finished last season as the Los Angeles Rams’ interim special teams coordinator after Sean McVay fired Chase Blackburn.
Other logical options are assistant special teams coaches from successful units — Devin Fitzsimmons (Seattle Seahawks), Kevin O’Dea (New York Jets), and Joe Hastings (Indianapolis Colts). Former New England Patriots special teams coordinator and New York Giants head coach Joe Judge could be an option, but he’s working as Ole Miss’ quarterbacks coach, and it’s uncertain if he would want to return to special teams.
The Packers needed change on special teams, but the timing wasn’t ideal. Now, though, LaFleur has the tough task and several options to find the new name to save the Packers in an area where struggle has been frequent.