Cam Acord to lead Packers’ special teams unit
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Cam Accord, a Super Bowl-winning special teams coordinator, has been employed for a similar function with the Green Bay Packersit was introduced by the group on Friday.
The 39-year-old will exchange Rich Bisaccia, who unexpectedly stepped down 10 days ago after 4 seasons with the Packers. The 65-year-old Bisaccia’s resignation got here greater than a month after final season ended and caught the group abruptly, in accordance to normal supervisor Brian Gutekunst.
Coach Matt LaFleur was charged with discovering a substitute after the teaching carousel had principally come to a cease, however Gutekunst mentioned earlier this week that it could give LaFleur time to make the suitable resolution and never have to rush right into a rent contemplating that there have been no different coordinator openings.
LaFleur picked Achord, who coordinated the special teams for the New England Patriots throughout a four-year run that included a victory in Super Bowl LIII. Achord served because the assistant special teams coach in New England from 2018-19 earlier than he was promoted to special teams coordinator in 2020.
In 2020, Achord’s items have been No. 1 in Rick Gosselin’s annual NFL special teams rankings. Gunner Olszewski earned first-team All-Pro honors as a punt returner in 2020 after main the league in punt return yards (346) and common (17.3 yards, together with a 70-yard TD). Achord remained in that function by means of the 2023 season however was not retained when Jerod Mayo turned the Patriots new head coach. Accord spent the final two seasons because the New York Giants assistant special teams coach.
Achord will turn out to be the fourth special teams coordinator in LaFleur’s eight seasons as head coach and inherits a unit that has been damage by ill-timed errors. This previous season alone, the Packers had a possible successful discipline aim blocked in a Week 3 loss to the Brownsan additional level blocked and returned for a two-point conversion in a Week 4 tie with the Cowboys and likewise muffed an onside kick restoration try by Romeo Doubs that the Bears recovered to assist beat Green Bay in a Week 16 recreation.
Among the opposite recognized candidates that LaFleur interviewed for the job have been: Devin Fitzsimmons (Seahawks), Tom McMahon (Raiders), Sam Sewell (Cardinals) and Kyle Wilber (Saints).
While Bisaccia’s items have been inconsistent at instances, he was common among the many gamers and well-respected inside the Packers’ group. He additionally held the assistant head coach title the final three seasons. It additionally has come into query whether or not the Packers have made sufficient of an organizational dedication to special teams, a problem that predicts LaFleur’s arrival in 2019.
“What Rich brings to our culture, this football team, he’s a very impactful coach around here,” Gutekunst mentioned earlier this month. “Certainly, I thought we’ve been better on [special] teams the last few years than we’ve been in a long time. Our cover units have been better, we’ve got one of the best punters [Daniel Whelan] within the National Football League, obtained a superb snapper [Matt Orzech]. [Kicker] Brandon [McManus] It was glorious final yr.
“This yr once more he labored by means of some issues harm smart after which had a foul playoff recreation. … I’ve obtained lots of religion in Rich and his workers, what they do round right here, not solely the X’s and O’s, what they convey to the sector, however what they convey to this place culturally is actually necessary.”
