Last year, one of the reasons why the Green Bay Packers didn't fire defensive coordinator Joe Barry in-season was the inability to find a suitable interim replacement. Obviously, the Packers didn't choose Jeff Hafley expecting a mid-season firing, but the capacity of the assistants behind a coordinator help him achieve a top unit.

Therefore, building a strong coaching staff under Hafley was a priority. And that's how the Packers went after Anthony Campanile, who had been let go by the Miami Dolphins, but had just interviewed by the New York Giants for their defensive coordinator opening. In Green Bay, he will coach linebackers in addition to a run game coordinator role to bump his earnings.

"He's one of the best, most loyal people I've ever been around,” Jeff Hafley said. He's one of the best football coaches I've ever been around. I'm glad, very glad that he's here. I think you guys (journalists) will enjoy him. More importantly, I think the players are gonna love him and that's really important as we build this staff."

Campanile's ability to connect with players was clear when he was featured on the in-season version of Hard Knocks last year.

I thought back in the day I would run through a wall for Dan Campbell when I listened to him…SHEESH!

Then I heard Anthony Campanile and not only would I run through a brick wall for him, he has one of the BEST speeches I've ever heard on Hard Knocks.

"Everybody understands… pic.twitter.com/Zw9hWk9pIA

— Reason (@the_real_reason) November 22, 2023

"All over the world, they speak ass whooping. To the day you die," Campanile spoke to the Dolphins' roster. "So, here's what I'm saying, let's eliminate that factor. They can't outwork us. Eliminate that and let's see what the f*** happens. Don't stop throwing punches, don't stop attacking the ball, don't f***ing stop finishing blocks, and let's see what happens."

In which became a famous part of that process, Campanile created a "Cake Leaderboard." Whenever one of his players got a turnover, he would receive a cake. That's simple, but it was an effective way for him to motivate his group.

In the previous tenure with Joe Barry, between 2021 and 2023, the Packers were 31st in rush EPA on defense, only ahead of the New York Giants. The Miami Dolphins, with multiple defensive schemes, were 14th over the same period. Going up to average, fans know, would be a huge upgrade for Green Bay.

Connection

Hafley and Campanile had never worked together, but they have a close relationship. When Hafley left Rutgers to go to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he indicated Campanile as a replacement. At that time, Campanile was a high school assistant coach at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J, where he had worked both on defense and offense. That jump to the collegiate level changed Campanile's career, and he became forever grateful.

"I probably owe more to Jeff Hafley in terms of my professional development and opportunities in my professional life, more to him than anybody else," Campanile said. "It's really been something I've been looking forward to for a long time and I'm obviously at this point very, very happy I made that decision."

Curiously enough, Anthony Campanile was a defensive backs coach and later co-defensive coordinator at Boston College before Jeff Hafley took over as a head coach — by this time, Campanile was already working for the Dolphins.

The Packers needed a new defensive coordinator, but the demanded changes would have to go beyond that. As a top-level assistant, Anthony Campanile can help develop a strong linebacker group for Green Bay and elevate his status as an up and coming coach. Opportunities would arise, and that's a path the Packers would gladly take.