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Mike LaFleur didn’t mess around when it came to picking his offensive coordinator. The new Cardinals coach knew exactly who he wanted.
That’s why Nathaniel Hackett’s got the job, LaFleur said Wednesday.
“He’s very highly thought of, particularly, within our profession,” LaFleur said. “And you guys believe one thing from this press conference, it is literally I wanted him and nobody else — and he’s here.”
Hackett joined the Cardinals on Friday after spending last season as a defensive analyst with LaFleur’s brother Matt in Green Bay. He’d been the Packers’ offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2021 before that stint with Denver.
The former Broncos head coach said he could tell “without a doubt” that LaFleur really wanted him for this role.
“I’ve known Mike for a long time and he’s, first and foremost, a great person, and I think that this game is all about relationships,” Hackett said Wednesday. “It’s about how you work with people, how you communicate with people. And to be able to work with him is very exciting for me. And just the fact that all of our conversations for the past years have been awesome.”
Their connection goes beyond just football philosophy.
“He talked a little bit about the philosophies and all that, and it goes even deeper when it comes to the family and how he is with his,” Hackett said. “And that means a lot to me, and so I’m very honored to be here.”
Hackett and LaFleur have known each other for about 10 years. After spending less than a week working together in Arizona so far, Hackett said there are “lots of similarities” and “definitely some differences” between the LaFleur brothers.
Here’s an interesting parallel — Hackett was Matt’s offensive coordinator in his first season as a head coach. Now he’s got the same role in Mike’s first season running a team.
Hackett said he wants to help Mike through situations he’s already been through and be there for whatever’s needed.
One thing Hackett has in common with both LaFleurs? Being an offensive coordinator who doesn’t call plays.
LaFleur, who’s said he’ll handle play-calling duties himself, explained that Hackett’s role is “setting the table, setting the menu, having just great energy around the building, having great communication when I’m doing stuff with the defense.”
“What an opportunity,” LaFleur said of landing Hackett.
