Breaking: Former Packers DC Joe Barry has been given a new position…
In January, former defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers Joe Barry scheduled two interviews: one with the Chicago Bears for a defensive coordinator opening and another with the Philadelphia Eagles for a linebackers coach post. Nevertheless, Barry won’t be taking either of those positions because, as NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero revealed on Tuesday morning, the Miami Dolphins have agreed to hire Barry as their next linebackers coach and run game coordinator.
Although this move shouldn’t come as a huge surprise, given Barry’s prior NFL experience as an assistant, particularly following his time in Green Bay, the position of run game coordinator is a little comical. Barry was a linebackers coach. Pro Football Reference reports that during Barry’s three seasons in Green Bay, the Packers allowed 4.7 yards per run, falling just short of the league-leading 4.8 yards per carry average during this same period for the Los Angeles Chargers. It is noteworthy to mention that Brandon Staley, the head coach of the Chargers for the past three years, was previously Barry’s linebackers coach at the Los Angeles Rams, where he worked as the defensive coordinator.
During his three years as the defensive coordinator for the Packers, Barry was largely unsuccessful in stopping the run. As a result, he was replaced this summer by Jeff Hafley, the head coach of Boston College, who is expected to implement a more single-high safety-based scheme in Green Bay. Additionally, it has been speculated that the Packers would replace all but two of Barry’s assistant coaches, defensive backs coach Ryan Downard and pass rush specialist Jason Rebrovich, starting in 2024. Hafley and Downard had previously collaborated while they were both with the Cleveland Browns.
Due to Vic Fangio’s permission to leave for a lateral position with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, Miami is also going through a time of transition on the defensive end of the ball. Anthony Weaver, the assistant head coach and former defensive line coach for the Baltimore Ravens, took over for Fangio.
Given that both coaches have experience working with both Rams head coach Sean McVay and Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel most likely has some solid inside information on Barry. Barry coached linebackers in the NFL for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2001–2006, 2009), San Diego Chargers (2012–2014), Washington Redskins (2015–2016), and Los Angeles Rams (2017–2020) in addition to his role as a defensive coordinator.
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