Second Packers Assistant Coach Resigns This Offseason

Assistant offensive line coach Joel Hilgenberg joins Kevin Greene among those that have stepped down in 2014.

For the second time in one offseason, a member of the Packers coaching staff resigned citing reasons to spend more time with family.

Assistant offensive line coach Joel Hilgenberg joins former outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene among those who have stepped down in 2014.

“It has been a great experience for me to be with the Green Bay Packers these past few years, and I am thankful for the opportunity I was given,” said Hilgenberg. “I feel that it is more important now that I have more time to spend with my wife, Jeanie, and our daughter, Anna. I will miss all of the great people in the Packers organization that I have come to know, and I wish everyone the very best in the future.”

Hilgenberg's resignation, mere days into the start of the team's offseason program, is a reminder of the ungodly hours football coaches can keep.

It's worth wondering how much the family issues of a pair of former Packers assistants may have played in the decisions made by Hilgenberg and Greene.

In the last three years, the sons of both Joe Philbin and Andy Reid—now both head coaches in the NFL—died.

It would be dangerous to conclude that a more consistent familiy presence by the fathers would have prevented such deaths, but it's difficult to blame those resigning now for wanting to spend more time to those close to them.

“I respect Joel’s decision and understand his desire to focus on his family,” said Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. “We want to thank him for all of his hard work and contributions during his time with the Packers. We wish Joel, Jeanie and Anna all of the best in the years ahead.”

Before serving as the assitant offensive line coach in 2013, Hilgenberg was Green Bay's offensive quality control coach in 2011.

No replacement has been named to take Hilgenberg's position.

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Comments (7)

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Chris Scoggins's picture

April 25, 2014 at 07:13 pm

It's also worth speculating if there are other reasons. The "spend time with my family" reason for a resignation is a common reason for folks that were asked to resign or be fired...

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Brian Carriveau's picture

April 25, 2014 at 07:17 pm

In some cases, yes. But if the Packers wanted to fire Hilgenberg, they would have done so shortly after the season before most potential replacements have found new jobs.

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Jordan's picture

April 25, 2014 at 08:39 pm

I don't know Brian. I'm willing to bet that the "he wants to spend more time with his family" is code for firing 9/10 times. Unplanned firings happen every day all across America in every profession due to a whole host of reasons.

Who knows what the truth is.

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Jordan's picture

April 25, 2014 at 08:58 pm

An employee's unplanned behavior at work can lead to an immediate unplanned firing or forced resignation.

Like I said, who knows what the truth is. But rarely is "he wants to spend more time with family" the truth.

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Brian Carriveau's picture

April 25, 2014 at 10:15 pm

In a profession in which the employees work an inordinate amount of hours and likely already made millions in their playing careers in the case of Greene and Hilgenberg, I'm willing to buy the "spend time with family" line until I learn otherwise.

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4thand1's picture

April 25, 2014 at 11:49 pm

I'll put it this way, who cares?

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johnnyd17's picture

April 25, 2014 at 07:59 pm

also the sons of Tony Dungy and former Packer asst. Ray Sherman

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