Feb 25, 2026
3 min read
GREEN BAY - To hear Brian Gutekunst tell it, the Green Bay Packers aren't considering making changes to their special teams coordinator.
GREEN BAY - To hear Brian Gutekunst tell it, the Green Bay Packers aren't considering making a change with their special teams coordinator.
Indeed, veteran assistant head coach Rich Bizzaccia's decision to retire 38 days after the team's season-ending playoff loss to the Chicago Bears blindsided the organization — and head coach Matt LaFleur, who is now in the market for someone new to lead his special teams unit.
Gutekunst, speaking to a small group of Wisconsin reporters at a downtown Indianapolis hotel during the NFL's annual scouting combine, said Tuesday he felt there were "other opportunities" Bisaccia wanted to pursue.
"I wouldn't say we expected it at all. It took us by surprise," Gutekunst said of the 65-year-old Bisaccia, who resigned after four years with the Packers."[We are] very grateful for his career with us.
"I think he's a fabulous football coach. It's a big loss. But Matt is going through [the interview process] now and hopefully we can replace him."
When asked if he expected Bisache to coach again, Gutkunst replied: "I would think so, but I'll let the Riches answer that."
When Bisaccia made his announcement in a statement released by the organization, Bisaccia said he had taken "time in the last few weeks to reflect" and that led to "the decision to step down" from the assistant head coaching and special teams coordinator positions.
In announcing Bisaccia's departure, LaFleur said the organization is "disappointed to lose a person and coach as valuable as Rich," but that the club will "respect his decision" and wish him and his family the best.
"Rich has been a great resource to me and our entire coaching staff who has had a tremendous impact on our players and our culture throughout the building," LaFleur said in a statement."We cannot thank him enough for his contributions to our team over the past four years."
LaFleur hasn't spoken to reporters since the day after the team's 31-27 NFC playoff loss to the Bears on Jan. 10. Like many coaches in recent years, LaFleur has not attended the scouting combine since he stopped attending several years ago.
The timing of Bisaccia's decision to retire meant that nearly a dozen other NFL teams hired new special teams coordinators before Bisaccia stepped down.One of them was Byron Stother, Bisaccia's right-hand man in Green Bay (and before that in Las Vegas), who is the new Cleveland Browns coordinator.
Still, the Packers won't be competing with many other teams for their next coordinator, so Gutekunst said he sees the situation as "glass half full."
LaFleur reportedly interviewed at least four candidates: New York Giants assistant team assistant Cam Accord;Former Las Vegas Raiders Tom McMahon replaces Bisaccia in 2022 after Bisaccia leaves for the Packers.Arizona Cardinals assistant coach, Welsh Sam Sewell Ors;
"It really allows us to take our time. I think when you get into that coaching cycle, sometimes you have to move quickly without knowing everything you want to know about the candidate," Gutekunst said.“Now, we don't have much competition, so Matt is being really careful and taking his time.
"I'm excited about the candidates he's bringing in. So I know he's going to spend some time with them this week and hopefully we'll figure it out sooner rather than later. But we're not in a time crunch, which is great."
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