Mark Duffner
Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 10:07 am
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
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

