Packers: Matt LaFleur right to keep continuity with assistant coaches

Even with Matt LaFleur coming in at head coach, it’s the right move to keep some continuity for the Green Bay Packers.

LaFleur is set to become the Packers‘ next head coach, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky noted on Tuesday that LaFleur is expected to be introduced officially at Lambeau Field on Wednesday.

And while LaFleur will want to make a number of changes to the coaching staff, it’s a good sign that he’s willing to keep some coaches who were already on the staff.

Demovsky reported that defensive coordinator Mike Pettine will continue in that role in 2019, and to “expect” Jerry Montgomery to also continue as the defensive line coach.

It’s unclear whether Joe Philbin, who was the offensive coordinator then interim head coach this season, will be kept in the building.

But tight ends coach Brian Angelichio has an offer to stay, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Angelichio’s understanding of LaFleur’s offense could be important as the team transitions to its new head coach.

It’s good news that LaFleur is willing to keep members of the previous coaching staff, which provides some much-needed continuity in an offseason full of change.

The Packers defense had to adjust to Mike Pettine’s scheme after the team moved on from Dom Capers last offseason. They’ll now have a year of experience in Pettine’s system entering the new season.

This allows Pettine to build on last year and continue to help the defense improve, rather than moving back to square one unnecessarily.

The biggest area that needs to be addressed is the offense, and that’s exactly what LaFleur was hired to do. The Packers now have another offensive-minded head coach who will have a plan to fix the problems on offense from this past season.

Change is good, and was necessary this offseason. Despite that, it’s still important to maintain some continuity, and that’s exactly what LaFleur is doing.