4 head coaches 49ers ‘could’ want to replace Kyle Shanahan
By Peter Panacy
49ers Replacement No. 4: Packers Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett
He might not be receiving as much buzz as some of the other hot names on the 2022 head-coaching carousel list, but Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett certainly should receive some attention.
Yes, there are going to be those who cite head coach Matt LaFleur being the prime reason why the Packers’ system has been effective the past few years, and having a quarterback like future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers sure helps matters, too.
Still, Hackett has found success in nearly every one of his stops along the way before becoming Green Bay’s offensive coordinator in 2019, as Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr pointed out:
"At Syracuse, he turned a downtrodden program’s offense into one of the nation’s leaders and established quarterback Ryan Nassib as a draft prospect. In Buffalo he helped turn a sub-.500 team into a 9–7 outfit with a respectable offense, despite its lack of firepower. In Jacksonville, he designed an offense for Blake Bortles that finished fifth in points per game and sixth in yards."
What makes this likable is the Packers operate a similar outside-zone system as the Niners, meaning there wouldn’t have to be widespread, sweeping changes to the personnel or scheme.
If anything, Hackett would inherit a system he’d largely be familiar with, the only expectation is managing both the roster and personnel around him in a more functional way.