Mark Duffner

[Globetrotter]

http://www.packers.com/team/coaches/duffner_mark/

Mark Duffner
Linebackers

NFL Exp: 9th Season
Packers Exp: 3rd Season

Now in his third year coaching the Packers' linebackers, Mark Duffner embarks upon his ninth season in the NFL coaching ranks.

Duffner is a coaching veteran of 30 seasons, including 11 years as a college head coach and two seasons as an NFL defensive coordinator.

In 2004 Duffner's 'backers contributed to a red-zone defense that ranked first in NFL, allowing only five conversions in 21 third-down attempts (23.8 percent). His charges helped the Packers' third-down defense rank ninth in the NFL as well, allowing only 35.0 percent conversions (69 of 197). In addition, after Green Bay turnovers, Duffner's corps aided the defense by surrendering points on only nine of the 27 turnover instances.

Continuing to develop 2003 first-round draft pick Nick Barnett, Duffner's instruction resulted in the all-rookie 'backer recording more tackles (162) in 2004 than any Packers player over the last 21 years. Finishing the season with three sacks, he averaged 12.2 stops per game over the final five regular-season contests en route to selection as an alternate for the 2005 Pro Bowl. Veteran Na'il Diggs finished second on the team in tackles (116) and also had one sack, proving to be a solid starter on the weak side.

During Duffner's first season with the Packers in 2003, his men added to the Packers' improved rushing defense ranking of 10th in the league, up from 21st in 2002. He quickly helped polish some of his charges as Diggs had a breakout year in his transition to the weak side, finishing second on the team in tackles with a career-high 123 and leading the team with 11 stops for loss; Barnett paced the team in tackles as a rookie in one of the most productive years ever by a Green Bay linebacker.

Duffner came to the Packers after six seasons (1997-2002) with the Cincinnati Bengals, coaching the club's linebackers for four years (1997-2000) before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2001. During the latter tenure, while continuing to coach the linebackers, Duffner directed a defense that allowed 315.5 yards per game, the club's lowest two-year total since 1987-88.

In 2002, Duffner's defense led the NFL by ending five goal-to-goal drives via takeaway and held opponents to negative yardage on 65 carries, tied for second-most in the league, as well as just 1,305 yards after the catch, first in the conference. In 2001, the Bengals allowed the fewest points (309) and posted the best NFL yardage ranking (ninth) of any Cincinnati defense since the 1989 season. Additionally, the '01 Bengals defense allowed the fewest yards per game (302) since 1983 and set a franchise single-season record for sacks with 48.

Prior to joining the Bengals staff, Duffner was head coach at the University of Maryland from 1992-96, compiling a 20-35 record that included an 11-11 mark over his final two seasons, the school's best two-season record since 1984-85.

While at Maryland, Duffner acquired the Terps' first national ranking in nine years when his team rose as high as No. 17 in 1995. His Maryland teams also set more than 100 school offensive records. In the overall process, Duffner improved Maryland's player graduation rate, with three classes in a row ranking among the nation's best (1994-96).

Earlier, as head coach at Holy Cross (1986-91), he enjoyed the most successful era in the school's football history, posting a 60-5-1 record that included two 11-0 seasons (1987 and 1991) during his six-year tenure. Duffner was chosen national coach of the year five times while at Holy Cross, a period during which his 1987 team was ranked No. 1 in the nation in Division I-AA by the Associated Press. He also was chosen 'New England Coach of the Year' five times. He initially served as defensive coordinator for five seasons at the school (1981-85).

He began his coaching career at Ohio State in 1975-76 as a graduate assistant to the legendary Woody Hayes. In 1977, he was named defensive coordinator at the University of Cincinnati, becoming - at age 23 - the youngest defensive coordinator in the Division I ranks; he worked for four seasons as a Bearcat (1977-80) before moving on to Holy Cross.

Duffner played college football at William & Mary, where he was a defensive lineman and was named to the Southern Conference All-Academic team as a senior. He later was inducted into the William & Mary Hall of Fame in 1990.

Born July 19, 1953, in Annandale, Va., Duffner and his wife, Kathy, live in Green Bay. The couple has three children: daughters Christina, 26, a marketing/communications coordinator with a children's museum in Atlanta, and Carolyn, 24, a senior research associate with a business firm in Washington D.C., and son, John, 21, a senior at the University of Notre Dame. In his spare time, Duffner enjoys spending time with his family.

DUFFNER AT A GLANCE

* Joined Packers on Jan. 23, 2003.
* Possesses 30 years of coaching experience, including 11 years as a college head coach and two seasons as an NFL defensive coordinator.
* One of five coaches on Packers' staff with experience as an NFL offensive or defensive coordinator (also Mike Sherman, Larry Beightol, Tom Rossley and Jim Bates).
* Current boss, Mike Sherman, earlier had served as offensive line coach (1985-87) and offensive coordinator (1988) at Holy Cross during his six-year tenure as head coach there (1986-91).

COACHING BACKGROUND:

Year College/Pro Team Position Coached
1975-76 Ohio State Graduate Assistant
1977-80 Univ. of Cincinnati Defensive Coordinator
1981-85 Holy Cross Defensive Coordinator/
Recruiting Coordinator
1986-91 Holy Cross Head Coach
1992-96 Maryland Head Coach
1997-2000 Cincinnati Bengals Linebackers
2001-02 Cincinnati Bengals Defensive Coordinator
2003-05 Green Bay Packers Linebackers

[Globetrotter]

Now with the Jaguars

http://www.jaguars.com/Team/Bio/2637.aspMark Duffner

Mark Duffner was named linebackers coach for the Jaguars on January 31, 2006 after spending the past three seasons in the same capacity for the Green Bay Packers.

Duffner, 53, has more than 30 years of coaching experience, including 11 seasons as a college head coach. At Green Bay, Duffner played a major role in the development of 2003 first-round draft pick Nick Barnett. Green Bay's defense finished the 2005 season as the seventh ranked defense in the NFL (ranked No. 1 against the pass) and Barnett set the team record with 194 tackles (128 solo) and became the first Packer to lead the team in tackles for three consecutive seasons. In 2004, the Packers defense ranked first in the NFL in red zone defense, allowing only five conversions in 21 third-down attempts (23.8 percent).

Duffner entered the NFL coaching ranks with the Cincinnati Bengals where he spent six seasons as linebackers coach (1997-2000) and defensive coordinator (2001-02). In 2001, the Bengals defense allowed the fewest points since 1989 and fewest yards per game since 1983. In addition, the defense set a franchise single-season record for sacks with 48 in 2001.

Prior to joining the Bengals staff, Duffner was head coach at the University of Maryland from 1992-96. He posted a 20-35 overall record that included a 11-11 mark over his final two seasons, the school's best two-season record since 1984-85. Duffner helped the Terps achieve their first national ranking in nine years when the club ranked as high as No. 17 in 1995. In addition to the success on the field, Duffner improved Maryland's player graduation rate, with three classes in a row ranking among the nation's best (1994-96).

Duffner also served as head coach at Holy Cross where he compiled a 60-5-1 mark that included two 11-0 seasons (1987 and 1991) during his six seasons. He was named national coach of the year five times while at Holy Cross and 'New England Coach of the Year' five times. The 1987 Holy Cross team was ranked No. 1 in the nation in Division I-AA by the Associated Press for a period of time. Duffner initially served as defensive coordinator at the school from 1981-1985.

Duffner's coaching career began as a graduate assistant under Woody Hayes at Ohio State (1975-76) before serving as defensive coordinator at the University of Cincinnati (1977-80).

Duffner played collegiately at William & Mary and was later inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 1990. He and his wife Kathy, have three children: daughters Christina and Carolyn and son, John.

COACHING BACKGROUND: Ohio State 1975-1976, Cincinnati 1977-1980, Holy Cross (head coach 1986-1991) 1981-1991, Maryland (head coach) 1992-96, Cincinnati Bengals 1997-2002, Green Bay Packers 2003-2005, Jacksonville Jaguars 2006

[transfer2BGSU]

And the reason this is in the football forum is....why?

[Globetrotter]

Guess

[transfer2BGSU]

Guess

Because he is with the Green Bay Packers? I didn't know the Packers were an opponent of ours this year.

[dduncan]

Guess

why to clog up the board...you just added the love fest for some LB coach in another thread. how about adding this info there /thread police

[Mr. Frieda]

Guess

Too much to read to even care. Do we think he should be the next head coach at BG?

[bgsufalcon24]

And the reason this is in the football forum is....why?

Exactly my thoughts.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

-- Don Shula

Don Shula, the coach with the most wins in National Football League history retired after 1995 season. Shula may be remembered best for coaching the only undefeated team in NFL history. He coached in the NFL for 33 years, including 26 years as head coach of the Miami Dolphins. He lead his teams to more wins than any other coach in the history of the NFL. Don Shula has appeared in more Super Bowls (six) than any other coach. He is considered by many to be one of the greatest coaches ever to step on a sporting field. On July 26, 1997, Don Shula capped an illustrious career when he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His unanimous election to the Hall was the ultimate honor in a career full of record-setting accomplishments.

Shula broke into the NFL as the lone rookie on Coach Paul Brown's defending NFL champion Cleveland Browns in 1951. He was involved in the largest trade in modern NFL history, a 15-player deal with Baltimore in 1953, and he played four seasons with the Colts (1953-56) and one season at Washington (1957) at right cornerback. He had 21 career interceptions for 247 yards in seven seasons. In college, he was a running back at John Carroll University in Cleveland.

After serving for three years (1960-1962) as defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, he became head coach in Baltimore. Shula entered the coaching ranks with an assistant's job at Virginia (1958) and Kentucky (1959) before joining the Lions.

Shula spent seven years as head coach of the Baltimore Colts. In that span, he complied a record 73-26-4 (.728) and advanced to the playoffs four times, including two appearances in the NFL Championship Game, in 1964 and 1968. At age 33, he was the youngest head coach in the history of the NFL. Shula's record as head coach of the Dolphins (1970-96) and the Baltimore Colts (1963-69) is unmatched in National Football League history. He has appeared in more Super Bowls than any other coach beginning with the Colts in 1968. Along with being one of only two coaches to reach the Super Bowl three straight seasons (1971-73), he is only one of five coaches in NFL history to win consecutive Super Bowls (1972 and 1973). He also advanced to the Bowl with the Dolphins in 1982 and 1984.

On November 14, 1993, in Philadelphia, Shula won his 325th career game, moving him past the immortal George Halas (324-151-31) and setting an NFL record for most career victories.

In addition to his football responsibilities, Shula has always given considerable time and support to countless charities. Because of his success on the football field, and long-time civic and charitable service, Shula is the recipient of many awards including the 1993 Sports Illustrated Man of the Year award and the Horatio Alger Award.
Some of his accomplishments are:

Coached only undefeated team in NFL history - 1972 Miami Dolphins
Lead his teams to more wins than any other coach in the history of the NFL
Appeared in more Super Bowls than any other coach
Unanimous election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Youngest head coach in the history of the NFL
4-time Coach of Year
Shula's teams reached the playoffs 20 times in 33 seasons
Took six teams to the Super Bowl
Won 4 Super Bowls - twice with Baltimore (1964,68) and twice with Miami (1970-71)
Served from 1975 through 1995 on the league's influential Competition Committee

[Bleeding Orange]

[jacojdm]

-- Don Shula

I think this is a great choice. He's an Ohioan (from Grand River), played football in Ohio at JCU, has an MA from Case. The guy knows Ohio, and he's shown some success as a coach. Beyond that, he knows how to motivate. Have you seen him in that Nike commercial.

[Mr. Frieda]

He's not busy

[Globetrotter]

-- Don Shula

I think this is a great choice. He's an Ohioan (from Grand River), played football in Ohio at JCU, has an MA from Case. The guy knows Ohio, and he's shown some success as a coach. Beyond that, he knows how to motivate. Have you seen him in that Nike commercial.

Why did you assume that he was posting that thing about Don SHula to state that he would be a good coach. Apparently the logical inference of us having a bad coach and someone presenting an option is not linear.

[Globetrotter]

Guess

Because he is with the Green Bay Packers? I didn't know the Packers were an opponent of ours this year.

He coaches for the Jaguars. But we dont play the JAguars either.

[Globetrotter]

He's not busy

Joe Montana would never coach here.