History of Matt LaFleur in Timeline

Matt LaFleur is the head coach of the Green Bay Packers in the NFL. Prior to his head coaching role, LaFleur gained extensive experience as a quarterbacks coach for various teams including the Washington Redskins, Notre Dame, and Atlanta Falcons. He also served as offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams and the Tennessee Titans. His career reflects a trajectory of ascending through coaching ranks to his current position as head coach.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1959: First Packers coach to win his first game against the Bears since Vince Lombardi in 1959

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

1970: Second-best start for a coach since the 1970 merger

Matt LaFleur finished with a 26–6 record in his first two seasons as coach, tied for the second-best start for a coach since the 1970 merger.

1974: Denny LaFleur Wins National Championship

In 1974, Denny LaFleur, Matt LaFleur's father, won a national championship while playing as a linebacker at Central Michigan University.

1997: Dick Flynn Fired Denny LaFleur

In 1997, Central Michigan football head coach Dick Flynn fired Denny LaFleur, Matt LaFleur's father. This event led Matt LaFleur to choose to enroll at Western Michigan University, a rival school to Central Michigan University.

1998: High School Graduation

In 1998, Matt LaFleur graduated from high school where he played as a quarterback and earned all-state honors.

2003: Brief Professional Football Career

In 2003, Matt LaFleur briefly played professionally in the National Indoor Football League with the Omaha Beef as a backup quarterback.

2003: Start of Coaching Career

In 2003, Matt LaFleur's coaching career began at Saginaw Valley State as an offensive graduate assistant.

2004: Assistant at Central Michigan University

In 2004, Matt LaFleur assisted the offensive staff at Central Michigan University.

2005: Continued Assisting at Central Michigan University

In 2005, Matt LaFleur continued to assist the offensive staff at Central Michigan University.

2007: Offensive Coordinator at Ashland University

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

2007: Hosted the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 2007

In the 2020-2021 playoffs, Matt LaFleur and the Packers hosted the Los Angeles Rams, for the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 2007.

2008: Assistant coach for the Houston Texans

In 2008, Matt LaFleur was an assistant coach for the Houston Texans, where he became close with Robert Saleh, working alongside him as graduate assistants at Central Michigan.

2008: Hired by the Houston Texans

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

2008: Peyton Manning won the NFL MVP

In 2008, Peyton Manning won the NFL MVP, the first of consecutive MVP awards.

2009: Assistant coach for the Houston Texans

In 2009, Matt LaFleur continued as an assistant coach for the Houston Texans, developing a close bond with Robert Saleh and being known as the "Piss Boys."

2009: Peyton Manning won the NFL MVP

In 2009, Peyton Manning won the NFL MVP, his second consecutive MVP award.

2010: Joins Washington Redskins

In 2010, Matt LaFleur joined the Washington Redskins to coach the quarterbacks, under Mike and Kyle Shanahan.

2011: Working alongside future Head Coaches

From 2011 Matt LaFleur worked alongside future head coaches Kyle Shanahan, Sean McVay, Mike McDaniel, and Raheem Morris in Washington.

2011: Home-field advantage throughout the playoffs for the first time since the 2011 season

In 2020, Green Bay clinched the NFC's number one seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs for the first time since the 2011 season.

2011: Most wins from a rookie coach since Jim Harbaugh in 2011

The 13 wins Matt LaFleur had in his first season as a coach, were the most from a rookie coach since Jim Harbaugh did it with the 49ers in 2011.

2012: Mentoring Rookie Quarterbacks

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

2013: Coaching in Washington

In 2013, Matt LaFleur continued to coach quarterbacks in Washington, working alongside future head coaches.

2014: Quarterbacks Coach at Notre Dame

In 2014, Matt LaFleur returned to college football as the quarterbacks coach at the University of Notre Dame.

February 5, 2015: Returns to NFL as Quarterbacks Coach for Atlanta Falcons

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

2016: Coaching Matt Ryan and Super Bowl LI Appearance

In 2016, Matt LaFleur coached Matt Ryan to win the NFL MVP award. The Falcons reached Super Bowl LI but lost to the New England Patriots after squandering a 28-3 lead.

2016: First Postseason Berth Since 2016

Matt LaFleur led Green Bay to their first postseason berth since the 2016 season as the NFC's number two seed.

February 8, 2017: Joins Los Angeles Rams as Offensive Coordinator

On February 8, 2017, Matt LaFleur joined the Los Angeles Rams as offensive coordinator, working under head coach Sean McVay. The Rams finished the year as the league's number one scoring offense.

December 10, 2017: Packers Win Without Aaron Rodgers

On December 10, 2017, the Packers defeated the Cleveland Browns 27–21, marking the Packers' first win without Aaron Rodgers as the starter since that date. This happened before LaFleur was the head coach of the Packers.

January 30, 2018: Joins Tennessee Titans as Offensive Coordinator

On January 30, 2018, Matt LaFleur left the Rams to become the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans, taking on play-calling responsibilities.

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

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

May 30, 2019: Torn Achilles Injury

On May 30, 2019, Matt LaFleur suffered a torn Achilles while playing basketball.

September 5, 2019: Regular-Season Head Coaching Debut

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

2020: Injury to David Bakhtiari

During the 2020 season, David Bakhtiari tore his ACL, causing him to not return until Week 18 of the 2021 season. This was a notable injury that the Packers dealt with throughout the season.

2020: Second Consecutive NFC North Title and Playoff Berth

In 2020, Matt LaFleur clinched his second consecutive NFC North title and playoff berth. The Packers also clinched the NFC's number one seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

2020: Jordan Love named quarterback of the Packers

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. Later that year, LaFleur had his first opening week win since 2020.

2021: Winningest Head Coach Through First 40 Games

In 2021, Matt LaFleur became the winningest head coach through his first 40 career games in NFL history, despite the Packers facing challenges with key player absences due to injuries and COVID-19.

2021: Thanksgiving win

In Week 12, the Packers upset the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, their first win against the Lions since Week 3 of the 2021 season.

2022: Packers struggles in 2022 season

Matt LaFleur's 2022 season as head coach began with another opening day loss, this time to the Minnesota Vikings, starting the season 4-8.

May 2024: Torn pectoral muscle

In May 2024, Matt LaFleur suffered a torn pectoral muscle while lifting weights, but still managed to lead the Packers to an 11-6 record and a playoff appearance.