The Green Bay Packers announced they have hired Jonathan Gannon to be their new defensive coordinator on Sunday. Gannon will replace Jeff Hafley, who recently became head coach of the Dolphins, at the position. Here are 10 things you may not know about Jonathan Gannon as he joins the Packers coaching staff ahead of the 2026 campaign.
First Thing You May Not Know About New Packers DC Jonathan Gannon: He Is a Cleveland Native
Gannon just turned 43 earlier this month. He was born in Cleveland where he attended St. Ignatius High School. While there, he earned letters in three sports. Obviously, the first was football, where he played both wide receiver and defensive back. He also helped his school win a state championship in basketball while serving as point guard. Gannon also ran hurdles in track.
Second Thing: His College Football Career Was Cut Short by Injury
Gannon attended the University of Louisville, but his football career was cut short by injuries. In 2003 at the age of 20, he stopped being a player and became a student assistant and then a graduate assistant as Louisville. That started his coaching career.
Third Thing You May Not Know About New Packers DC Jonathan Gannon: He Has Extensive NFL Experience
Gannon’s first NFL coaching experience came in 2007 as a quality control coach for the Atlanta Falcons. He followed that up by scouting for the Rams for three seasons, scouting both college and pro players. He later coached for the Titans, Vikings, and Colts before becoming the Eagles defensive coordinator in 2021 and 2022. The reached the Super Bowl after the 2022 season but lost to the Chiefs. In 2022, his defense ranked second overall in yards allowed and first in the league in passing yards allowed.
Fourth Thing: He Has NFL Head Coaching Experience
In 2023, Gannon was named head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. He lasted three seasons there and finished with a combined record of 15-36 and never had a winning season. The Cardinals dismissed him after this 2025 campaign.
His best season was an 8-9 finish in 2024. Of course, his teams in Arizona lacked elite talent.
Having a defensive coordinator with experience as a DC and a head coach in the NFL should be helpful to head coach Matt LaFleur.
Fifth Thing You May Not Know About New Packers DC Jonathan Gannon: His Background Is in Pass Defense
As an assistant coach, Gannon came up concentrating on pass defense. Before being a defensive coordinator and a head coach, he came up as a defensive backs coach in Minnesota and a cornerbacks coach and defensive backs coach in Indianapolis.
This is a similar background to Hafley who was also primarily a pass defense expert before becoming the Packers defensive coordinator.
Sixth Thing: There Was a Scandal
Gannon was part of a bit of a scandal when he was hired by the Cardinals to be their head coach. He apparently interviewed with Arizona the week after the Eagles won the NFC Championship Game. This was not permitted under the NFL rules.
The Eagles were concerned that the interviewing process distracted during the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl.
Despite the violation, Gannon was still able to take the job in Arizona. But the Cardinals had to swap third round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Eagles also received the Cardinals fifth round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Seventh Thing You May Not Know About New Packers DC Jonathan Gannon: He Has a Diverse Background in Defenses
Over the course of his career, Gannon has worked in different styles of defenses. While in Minnesota, he worked with Mike Zimmer, who loves to blitz and disguise his various blitz packages pre-snap.
He also coached under Matt Eberflus in Indianapolis who tends to be more conservative and tries to prevent big plays.
In Arizona this season, the Cardinals defense ran quarters more than any team in the league according to Pro Football Focus, but Gannon didn’t call the defensive plays as head coach.
Gannon will have to figure out how to best utilize the talented players he has like Micah Parsons, Xavier McKinney, and Edgerrin Cooper.
Eighth Thing: Gannon Has Never Worked with Matt LaFleur Before
Despite his extensive NFL coaching experience, Gannon has never been on the same staff as LaFleur. The Packers and Cardinals did face each other twice during Gannon’s tenure as head coach in Arizona. The Packers won both games.
The first came in 2024 at Lambeau Field. The Packers won handily, 34-13. This past season, the Packers beat the Cardinals in Arizona, 27-23.
Ninth Thing You May Not Know About New Packers DC Jonathan Gannon: He Has a History of Creating Sacks
In his second season as Eagles defensive coordinator in 2022, the Eagles recorded 67 sacks in 17 games. That ranked them 1st in the NFL by a wide margin as no other team had more than 55.
Philadelphia had four players record at least 10 sacks that season led by Haason Reddick with 16. Meanwhile, 14 different players recorded at least one-half sack that season.
Tenth Thing: Family
Gannon is married to his wife, Gina. They got married in 2013. The couple have three children, Rocco, Lola, and Angelo.
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