History of Matt LaFleur in Timeline

Matt LaFleur is the head coach of the Green Bay Packers. Before this, he was the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams and Tennessee Titans. His coaching background also includes quarterbacks coach positions with the Washington Redskins, Notre Dame, and Atlanta Falcons. LaFleur played college football as a quarterback at Saginaw Valley State University after initially being a walk-on receiver at Western Michigan University. He also had a short professional career in the Indoor Football League before transitioning to coaching full-time.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1959: LaFleur First Packers Coach Since Lombardi to Win First Game Against Bears

In 2019, Matt LaFleur became the first Green Bay coach to win his first game against the Bears since Vince Lombardi achieved the feat in 1959.

1970: LaFleur Achieves Second-Best Start for Coach Since Merger

Matt LaFleur finished his first two seasons as coach in 2020 with a 26-6 record, which tied for the second-best start for a coach since the 1970 NFL merger. The Packers scored 509 points, and Aaron Rodgers threw for a franchise-record 48 touchdowns.

1974: Denny LaFleur Wins National Championship

In 1974, Denny LaFleur, Matt LaFleur's father, won a national championship as a linebacker at Central Michigan University. He also held the record for most career tackles at one point.

November 3, 1979: Matthew LaFleur Born

On November 3, 1979, Matthew Robert LaFleur was born. He is now a professional football coach and former player, currently serving as the head coach for the Green Bay Packers in the NFL.

Others born on this day/year

1997: Dick Flynn fires Denny LaFleur

In 1997, Central Michigan head coach Dick Flynn fired Denny LaFleur, which influenced Matt LaFleur's decision to enroll at Western Michigan University.

1998: LaFleur Graduates High School

In 1998, Matt LaFleur graduated from Mount Pleasant High School, having earned all-state honors as a quarterback during his junior and senior years.

2003: LaFleur Plays in National Indoor Football League

In 2003, Matt LaFleur briefly played professionally in the National Indoor Football League with the Omaha Beef as a backup quarterback. Later that summer, he also signed with the Billings Outlaws.

2003: LaFleur Graduates from Saginaw Valley State University

In 2003, Matt LaFleur graduated from Saginaw Valley State University with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education.

2003: LaFleur Begins Coaching Career at Saginaw Valley State

In 2003, Matt LaFleur started his coaching career as an offensive graduate assistant at Saginaw Valley State University.

2004: LaFleur Hired by Central Michigan University

In 2004, Matt LaFleur was hired by Central Michigan University as a graduate assistant.

2005: LaFleur Continues as Graduate Assistant at Central Michigan

Matt LaFleur continued his role as a graduate assistant at Central Michigan University for the 2005 season.

2006: LaFleur Becomes Quarterbacks Coach at Northern Michigan University

In 2006, Matt LaFleur was hired as the quarterbacks coach for Northern Michigan University.

2007: LaFleur Becomes Offensive Coordinator at Ashland University

In 2007, Matt LaFleur served as the offensive coordinator for Ohio's Ashland University.

2007: Packers Host NFC Championship Game for First Time Since 2007

In the 2020 playoffs, Matt LaFleur and the Packers hosted the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 2007, where they lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. LaFleur's decision to kick a field goal while down by 8 points drew criticism.

2008: Manning Wins NFL MVP Award

At the end of the 2021 regular season, Aaron Rodgers noted LaFleur's contributions to his winning NFL MVP for the second consecutive year. Rodgers became the first player in the NFL to win consecutive MVP awards in 12 years, since Peyton Manning won in 2008 and 2009.

2008: LaFleur Joins Houston Texans as Offensive Assistant

In 2008, Matt LaFleur joined the Houston Texans as an offensive assistant, working with both wide receivers and quarterbacks.

2008: Assistant Coach for the Houston Texans

In 2008, Matt LaFleur worked as an assistant coach for the Houston Texans, where he became close with Robert Saleh and was known as one of the "Piss Boys."

2009: Manning Wins NFL MVP Award

2009: Assistant Coach for the Houston Texans

In 2009, Matt LaFleur continued to work as an assistant coach for the Houston Texans, maintaining his close relationship with Robert Saleh.

2010: LaFleur Joins Washington Redskins as Quarterbacks Coach

In 2010, Matt LaFleur was hired as the quarterbacks coach for the Washington Redskins, joining Kyle Shanahan's staff.

2011: LaFleur Works Alongside Future Head Coaches in Washington

In 2011, Matt LaFleur began working alongside Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, Mike McDaniel, and Raheem Morris in Washington, all of whom would later become head coaches.

2011: LaFleur Ties Record for Wins by Rookie Coach

In 2019, Matt LaFleur lead the Packers to 13 wins, tying Jim Harbaugh's 2011 record for most wins by a rookie coach since 2011.

2011: Packers Clinch Homefield Advantage for First Time Since 2011 Season

In 2020, with a 35-16 win over the Chicago Bears, Green Bay clinched the NFC's 1st seed and homefield advantage throughout the playoffs for the first time since the 2011 season.

2012: LaFleur Mentors Rookie Quarterbacks Griffin III and Cousins

During the 2012 season, Matt LaFleur's primary responsibility with the Washington Redskins was to mentor rookie quarterbacks Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins.

2013: LaFleur Continues Coaching with Redskins

In 2013, Matt LaFleur continued working alongside future head coaches Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, Mike McDaniel, and Raheem Morris in Washington.

2014: LaFleur Returns to College Football as Quarterbacks Coach at Notre Dame

In 2014, Matt LaFleur returned to college football to serve as the quarterbacks coach at the University of Notre Dame, where he coached Everett Golson.

February 5, 2015: LaFleur Joins Atlanta Falcons as Quarterbacks Coach

On February 5, 2015, Matt LaFleur rejoined the NFL as the quarterbacks coach for the Atlanta Falcons, working under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.

2016: LaFleur Coaches Matt Ryan to MVP; Falcons Lose Super Bowl LI

In 2016, Matt LaFleur coached Matt Ryan to win his only NFL MVP award as the Atlanta Falcons reached Super Bowl LI. They ultimately lost to the New England Patriots 34-28 in overtime after squandering a 28-3 lead.

2016: Packers First Postseason Berth Since 2016 Season

Matt LaFleur led Green Bay to their first postseason berth since the 2016 season as the NFC's number two seed. However, they lost the NFC Championship Game to the San Francisco 49ers.

February 8, 2017: LaFleur Becomes Offensive Coordinator for Los Angeles Rams

On February 8, 2017, Matt LaFleur joined the Los Angeles Rams as offensive coordinator under head coach Sean McVay. The Rams finished the year with an 11-5 record and the league's number one scoring offense.

December 10, 2017: Packers Win Without Aaron Rodgers

In the offseason, star quarterback Aaron Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets, leaving 2020 first round pick Jordan Love as the team's starting quarterback. The Packers defeated the Chicago Bears 38–20, marking the Packers' first win without Aaron Rodgers as the starter since December 10, 2017, when they defeated the Cleveland Browns 27–21.

January 30, 2018: LaFleur Becomes Offensive Coordinator for Tennessee Titans

On January 30, 2018, Matt LaFleur left the Los Angeles Rams to become the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, taking on play-calling responsibilities. The season was plagued with injuries, and the Titans finished with the 27th-ranked scoring offense in the NFL.

January 8, 2019: LaFleur Hired as Head Coach of Green Bay Packers

On January 8, 2019, Matt LaFleur was hired as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers.

May 30, 2019: LaFleur Suffers Torn Achilles

On May 30, 2019, Matt LaFleur tore his Achilles tendon while playing basketball.

September 5, 2019: LaFleur Makes Head Coaching Debut, Packers Win

On September 5, 2019, Matt LaFleur made his regular-season head coaching debut, leading the Green Bay Packers to a 10-3 victory against the Chicago Bears.

2020: LaFleur Clinches Second Consecutive NFC North Title

In 2020, Matt LaFleur clinched his second consecutive NFC North title and playoff berth with the Green Bay Packers, earning the NFC's 1st seed.

2020: LaFleur Achieves First Opening Week Win Since 2020

In Week 1, the Packers defeated the Chicago Bears 38–20, marking the Packers' first win without Aaron Rodgers as the starter since December 10, 2017. It was also Matt LaFleur's first opening week win since 2020.

2021: LaFleur Inducted into SVSU Hall of Fame

In 2021, Matt LaFleur was inducted into the Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) Cardinal Athletic Hall of Fame. He had previously been the quarterback at SVSU, setting records for passing yards, completions, and touchdowns.

2021: LaFleur Achieves Winningest Record Through First 40 Games

In 2021, despite the Green Bay Packers beginning the season with a 38-3 loss to the New Orleans Saints, Matt LaFleur led the Packers to a 24-21 victory over the Arizona Cardinals and became the winningest head coach through his first 40 career games in NFL history.

2022: Packers Struggle During LaFleur's 2022 Season

In 2022, Matt LaFleur's season as head coach began with a loss to the Minnesota Vikings, and after a 3-1 start, the Packers struggled, going 1-7 in their next 8 games.