New Jaguars head coach Liam Coen has begun to fill out his staff in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars hired Packers linebackers coach/running game coordinator Anthony Campanile as their defensive coordinator, the team announced Thursday night.
"Anthony Campanile represents exactly what we want to be as a defensive unit and football team," Coen said in a team statement. "He brings an aggressive defensive mindset and a system that is adaptable to our players and allows them to play fast and physical."
Campanile spent one season in Green Bay. The Packers allowed 99.4 rushing yards per game, which ranked seventh in the NFL. Before his time with the Packers, Campanile spent four seasons with the Miami Dolphins as their linebackers coach.
Campanile, 42, gets his opportunity to become a defensive coordinator in Duval. In Jacksonville, Campanile will have solid young players to work with, including Josh-Hines Allen, Travon Walker and Devin Lloyd.
In 2024 under former Jags DC Ryan Nielsen, Jacksonville's defense ranked 31st in opponents yards per game (389.9) and opponent yards per play (5.9).
The Jaguars own the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and could add a defensive piece in April's draft. NFL Draft analyst Chad Reuter has the Jaguars' biggest needs at cornerback, safety, wide receiver, interior lineman and quarterback.
With one coordinator position secured with Campanile, Coen and the Jaguars can shift their focus on who will be leading the offense in 2025 with Trevor Lawrence entering his fifth NFL season.
