OLB coach Greene leaves Packers

By RICK SOLEM
ricks@mwfbroadcasting.com

The Green Bay Packers defense was apparently so bad last season that coaches are quitting to hang out with their wives and kids.

That’s the excuse Kevin Greene, the Packers outside linebackers coach the last five seasons, used today, in a statement announced by head coach Mike McCarthy.

It’s a big blow to Green Bay, which runs a 3-4 defense under Dom Capers that relies heavily on outside linebackers, which Greene was arguably the best ever. 

Greene is No. 1 all-time on the sack list for his position and No. 3 in the history of the NFL with 160. Only Bruce Smith (200) and former Packer Reggie White (198) have more.

Green Bay, of course, made OLB Clay Matthews the highest paid at his position before last season (5 years, $66 million). Matthews – when he’s not injured – has thrived under Greene’s tutelage in Capers’ scheme, making four consecutive Pro Bowls (2009-12) – the first Packer to do so in their first four seasons.

Greene also was a master at taking guys out of position and grooming them into outside linebackers, like former defensive end, Mike Neal, who had five sacks this season.

This is the second coach to leave Green Bay this week. On Tuesday, quarterback coach Ben McAdoo left to lead the New York Giants offense.