Green Bay Packers announce firing of strength and conditioning coach Chris Gizzi

Thursday brought more changes to the Green Bay Packers coaching staff as the team officially announced the dismissal of strength and conditioning coach Chris Gizzi.

Here was the release from Green Bay announcing the team’s decision:

“The Green Bay Packers have dismissed strength and conditioning coordinator Chris Gizzi. Head Coach Matt LaFleur made the announcement Thursday. Gizzi, who played linebacker for the Packers in 2000-01, worked on the strength staff for Green Bay for 10 seasons, including the last five as the coordinator.”

The release also provided a brief statement from head coach Matt LaFleur on the move:

“We appreciate Chris for his dedication and contributions to our success over his time with the Packers. We wish Chris and his family the best moving forward.”

After a decade with the team, spanning multiple coaching staffs, Gizzi has been let go by the Green Bay Packers. Prior to his time with the Packers, Gizzi only held one other position in the football coaching realm as a strength and conditioning assistant with the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2013 before catching on in a similar role with Green Bay the next season.

Packers also let go of defensive coordinator

The Green Bay Packers made an unexpected run to the NFC Divisional Round, but now they’re making some changes to their coaching staff.

While the Packers defense wasn’t terrible in the playoffs, Green Bay is still deciding to part ways with defensive coordinator Joe Barry, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Barry had been the subject to immense criticism during the season.

Now, he’ll be looking for a gig with a different franchise, as Pelissero reported his departure on Wednesday morning.

“A change in Green Bay: Joe Barry will not return as the #Packers’ defensive coordinator, per sources,” Pelissero posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Barry had Green Bay’s defensive coordinator for the past three seasons, but he certainly wasn’t a lock to return for the 2024 season after another season in which his defense failed to meet expectations.

Whereas head coach Matt LaFleur said after the season ended last year that he anticipated Berry and his coaching staff returning in 2023, his tone was much different during his end-of-season press conference Monday when asked about Berry’s status. 

Now, a decision has been made. We’ll see what direction the Packers turn as they look to contend for a Super Bowl next season.