Matt LaFleur: Hiring Rich Bisaccia was ‘big-time win’ for Packers

The Green Bay Packers desperately needed a win on special teams coming off a stunning playoff loss, and the chance to hire one of the NFL’s best coordinators provided the perfect opportunity.

Coach Matt LaFleur is rightfully excited about having Rich Bisaccia as the new coordinator for the Packers special teams in 2022.

“We’re just really fortunate to have a guy of that caliber,” LaFleur said Wednesday from the NFL Scouting Combine. “I think if you asked the coaches around the league, he’s regarded as one of the best in the business. Any time you can get a guy like that, that’s a big-time win for us. Ultimately, we all have to go out there and perform. But just in terms of the presence he brings, and the experience he brings, and the leadership he brings, it’s really going to benefit us.”

Bisaccia, who was the Raiders interim head coach for 12 games last season, brings 20 years of special teams coordinator experience to Green Bay. He’s been an assistant or associate head coach for 11 seasons.

LaFleur said Bisaccia has a “proven track record” and it’s his opinion that Bisaccia should still be a head coach in the NFL. In Green Bay, Bisaccia will get the chance to stabilize the third phase for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.

LaFleur thinks the staff and players will love having Bisaccia in the building.

“Just getting a chance to be around him and know him, it’s not a secret as to why guys love being around him and love playing for him,” LaFleur said. “I can tell he’s going to demand a lot from our guys, but he also cares so much about everyone he’s working with. We’re super excited to have a guy like that.”

Bisaccia is replacing Maurice Drayton, who lasted just one season as the coordinator. He was fired after the Packers finished last in the NFL in Rick Gosselin’s special teams rankings and then allowed a blocked field goal and blocked punt during the team’s divisional round playoff loss to the 49ers at Lambeau Field.

Could Bisaccia help the Packers finally get over the hump in 2022?

“His track record speaks for itself, and I think we’re all going to benefit from learning from him,” LaFleur said.

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