Anthony Campanile, the new linebackers coach for the Green Bay Packers, gave a historic speech on HBO’s “Hard Knocks.”
GREEN BAY, Wisconsin: Anthony Campanile has been appointed as the linebackers coach by the Green Bay Packers, a source informed Packer Central on Tuesday.
Strangely enough, Campanile arrived in Green Bay earlier in the day after former Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry was hired to teach the Dolphins’ linebackers under new coordinator Anthony Weaver. He will replace Kirk Olivadotti, who joined the Seahawks as a member of Mike Macdonald’s new staff.
As the protégé of the great Vic Fangio, Campanile made sense as Barry’s replacement as defensive coordinator. Rather than try to get the most out of Quay Walker, the Packers recruited a highly rated position coach and appointed Jeff Hafley as coordinator.
He was the linebackers coach for Miami for four seasons, ending in 2023. With 3.81 yards allowed per rush, the Dolphins came in sixth place, and the Packers, with 4.42 yards allowed per carry, came in 23rd. With 4.21 yards allowed per rush from 2020 to 2023, the Dolphins were 10th, while the Packers came in at number 31 with 4.66 yards allowed per carry.
To begin with, Vince Lombardi is quoted in this iconic, profanity-filled clip from “Hard Knocks,” which perfectly captures the 41-year-old’s style.
When you’re working for the people you care about, you’re at your best. We literally have a Sunday duty to honor the ones we love, no matter how much time you practice or spend apart from them. That is all. That’s what we do. Honor the people you care about by going out there. Play with all of your might. Take on the f***king ball as if it were a person sprinting down the street carrying your parents, your mother, and my children.
“It’s not possible for that individual to escape from me. Furthermore, nobody is hiding beneath my f***king pads to prevent me from bringing him back into my life. That is not going to f*ck occur. However, if you consistently receive that kind of treatment, practice that way, and resolve to practice that way with each other, you’re unstoppable. I have no idea who the f*** is going to stop you from pursuing your goals.
“Everyone is aware of what ass whooping is. We all know what happens when I travel to Greece and somebody begins getting their fucking ass whooped. The language that we all speak is the same. Nothing gets lost in translation if someone is getting their ass kicked, even if we are unable to converse.
“They talk about whooping assholes everywhere in the world. to the day of your passing. That being said, let us rule out that factor. We can’t outwork them. Take that out and let’s see what the f*** occurs. Continue tossing punches, attacking the ball, and finishing blocks without f***king off; then, see what transpires.
Recently, Campanile had an interview to be the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants; nevertheless, Shane Bowen was chosen for the position. He was reportedly a candidate to take Hafley’s post as Boston College’s head coach. While Hafley was employed by the San Francisco 49ers in those seasons, Campanile served as the defensive backs coach at BC in 2016 and 2017 and as the co-defensive coordinator in 2018.
Prior to joining the Dolphins in 2020, he served as the linebackers coach at Michigan in 2019.
From 2001 to 2004, Campanile played both safety and linebacker at Rutgers.
Along with his father and three siblings, Campanile hails from a family of coaches.
Campanile told The Sun-Sentinel, “My dad said we all got into coaching because nobody would hire us for a real job.”
There will be updates to this story.
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