Nathaniel Hackett
{{short description|American football coach (born 1979)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Nathaniel Hackett
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| current_team =
| position =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1979|12|19|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Fullerton, California, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| high_school = Blue Valley Northwest
| college = UC Davis (1999–2002)
| pastcoaching =
- UC Davis (2003)
Assistant linebackers coach - Stanford (2003–2004)
Offensive/defensive assistant to the coordinators - Stanford (2005)
Specialists/recruiting coordinator - Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{nfly|2006|2007}})
Offensive quality control - Buffalo Bills ({{nfly|2008|2009}})
Offensive quality control - Syracuse (2010)
Passing game coordinator/quarterbacks/tight ends coach - Syracuse (2011–2012)
Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks/tight ends coach - Buffalo Bills ({{nfly|2013|2014}})
Offensive coordinator - Jacksonville Jaguars ({{nfly|2015|2016}})
Quarterbacks coach - Jacksonville Jaguars ({{nfly|2016|2018}})
Offensive coordinator - Green Bay Packers ({{nfly|2019|2021}})
Offensive coordinator - Denver Broncos ({{nfly|2022}})
Head coach - New York Jets ({{nfly|2023}}–{{nfly|2024}})
Offensive coordinator
| highlights =
| regular_record = {{Winning percentage|4|11|record=y}}
| playoff_record =
| overall_record =
| pfrcoach = HackNa0
}}
Nathaniel Hackett (born December 19, 1979) is an American football coach in the National Football League (NFL). A former long-time assistant to Doug Marrone, Hackett previously served as the offensive coordinator for the New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Buffalo Bills. He held several positions for the Syracuse Orange in college football from 2010 to 2012.{{Cite web |url=http://buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130108/SPORTS/130109328/1109 |title=Marrone's first hire is familiar face |last=Gaughan |first=Mark |date=January 8, 2013 |website=The Buffalo News |access-date=January 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317020329/http://www.buffalonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?aid=%2F20130108%2Fsports%2F130109328%2F1109 |archive-date=March 17, 2016 |url-status=dead }} Hackett served as the head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2022, but was fired during the season after leading the team to a 4–11 record.
Coaching career
=Early career=
After working as an assistant coach for UC Davis and Stanford, Hackett began his NFL career as a quality coach under Jon Gruden with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2006. He served there for two years before moving to the Buffalo Bills in that same role for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Hackett worked with quarterbacks such as Bruce Gradkowski, Chris Simms, Jeff Garcia, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Brian Brohm during those years.
In 2010, Hackett was hired by Syracuse as their quarterbacks and tight ends coach under Doug Marrone,{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Connor |title='He's a savant of football': Nathaniel Hackett's road from SU to the Denver Broncos |url=https://dailyorange.com/2022/03/nathaniel-hackett-road-syracuse-denver-broncos/ |access-date=29 March 2022 |work=The Daily Orange |date=28 March 2022}} who he would later follow to Buffalo and Jacksonville. Hackett was promoted to offensive coordinator the following year.{{Cite web |url=https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/packers-coaching-changes-2019-matt-lafleur-mike-mccarthy/2019/1/15/18183598/nathaniel-hacketts-coaching-history-is-littered-with-bad-quarterbacks |title=Nathaniel Hackett's coaching history is littered with bad quarterbacks |last=Western |first=Evan "Tex" |date=January 15, 2019 |website=Acme Packing Company |publisher=SB Nation}}
=Buffalo Bills=
In 2013, the Bills hired Marrone as their head coach, and Hackett was brought back to Buffalo as the offensive coordinator. With quarterbacks EJ Manuel, Thad Lewis, and Jeff Tuel, the Bills ranked 29th in passing offense that year, but had a prolific running game with halfbacks C. J. Spiller and Fred Jackson. When Kyle Orton took over for Manuel as the Bills' quarterback the following year, the team finished with a more respectable passing offense, but the run game suffered.
=Jacksonville Jaguars=
Marrone opted out of his contract with the Bills following the 2014 season, and was then hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars as an offensive line and assistant head coach, bringing Hackett with him once again. In 2016, after Marrone was promoted to interim head coach after the firing of Gus Bradley, Hackett was upgraded from quarterbacks coach to interim offensive coordinator after the Jaguars also fired their previous offensive coordinator, Greg Olson. Hackett was confirmed on that position in January 2017.{{Cite web |url=http://www.pro32.ap.org/article/jaguars-retain-hackett-offensive-coordinator-add-hobby |title=Jaguars retain Hackett as offensive coordinator, add Hobby | Pro32: Head to Head |access-date=January 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308082804/https://pro32.ap.org/article/jaguars-retain-hackett-offensive-coordinator-add-hobby |archive-date=March 8, 2019 |url-status=dead }}
Working with quarterback Blake Bortles and running back Leonard Fournette, Hackett coordinated the league's best rushing attack in 2017, leading to Jacksonville winning the AFC South and appearing in the AFC Championship game. However, after the Jaguars failed to repeat their success the following year and started 3–8, Hackett was fired by Marrone on November 26, 2018, after the Jaguars lost to the Buffalo Bills 24–21, a move that surprised him.{{Cite web |url=https://www.newyorkupstate.com/buffalo-bills/index.ssf/2018/11/jaguars_fire_nathaniel_hackett_former_offensive_coordinator_for_syracuse_bills.html |title=Jaguars fire Nathaniel Hackett, former offensive coordinator for Syracuse, Bills |last=Domin |first=Hank |date=November 26, 2018 |website=NewYorkUpstate.com |language=en-US |access-date=January 15, 2019}}{{Cite news |url=https://buffalonews.com/2018/11/26/jaguars-fire-offensive-coordinator-nathaniel-hackett-after-loss-to-bills/ |title=Jaguars fire offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett after loss to Bills |date=November 26, 2018 |work=The Buffalo News |access-date=January 15, 2019 |language=en-us}}
=Green Bay Packers=
On January 14, 2019, Hackett was hired by the Green Bay Packers as their offensive coordinator under head coach Matt LaFleur.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/packers-hire-nathaniel-hackett-as-matt-lafleur-s-oc-0ap3000001010777 |title=Packers hiring Nathaniel Hackett as Matt LaFleur's OC |last=Shook |first=Nick |date=January 14, 2019 |website=NFL.com |language=en |access-date=January 15, 2019}} Hackett, alongside star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, led the Packers to becoming the league's best scoring offense in the 2020 season.{{Cite web |title=2020 NFL Standings & Team Stats |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2020/index.htm |access-date=January 28, 2022 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} Rodgers won back-to-back MVP awards (2020, 2021) with Hackett.
=Denver Broncos=
On January 27, 2022, Hackett was hired to become the head coach of the Denver Broncos after the team had parted ways with their former head coach Vic Fangio.{{Cite web|first=Aric|last=DiLalla|title=Broncos agree to terms with Nathaniel Hackett as head coach|url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-agree-to-terms-with-nathaniel-hackett-as-head-coach|publisher=Denver Broncos|date=January 27, 2022|access-date=January 27, 2022}}
In his head-coaching debut against the Seattle Seahawks, Hackett came under scrutiny when the Broncos faced a 4th-and-5 at midfield with over a minute left to play in the fourth quarter. Despite having three timeouts, Hackett decided to let the clock run down to 20 seconds left for a chance at a game-winning 64-yard field goal. The kick by Brandon McManus was wide left as the Broncos narrowly lost 17–16.{{Cite web |last=Clarke |first=Mary |date=September 13, 2022 |title=NFL fans ripped Broncos' head coach Nathaniel Hackett after bizarre 64-yard field goal attempt to end the game |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/broncos-nathaniel-hackett-field-goal-nfl-fan-reaction |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=USA Today}}{{Cite web |date=2022-09-12 |title=Broncos confound everyone with decision to try 64-yard field goal |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/broncos-confound-everyone-with-decision-to-try-64-yard-field-goal |access-date=2023-11-09 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} The next day, Hackett expressed regret in his decision, stating, "Looking back at it, we definitely should have gone for it."{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Michael |date=September 13, 2022 |title=Nathaniel Hackett: "Looking back at it, we definitely should have gone for it" |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/09/13/nathaniel-hackett-looking-back-at-it-we-definitely-should-have-gone-for-it/ |access-date=September 13, 2022 |website=ProFootballTalk}}
Hackett was again criticized for his clock management in the Broncos' Week 2 matchup against the Houston Texans, a game that Denver would go on to win 16–9.{{cite web|url=https://defector.com/the-concept-of-time-has-nathaniel-hackett-in-a-headlock/|title=The Concept Of Time Has Nathaniel Hackett In A Headlock|last=Kalaf|first=Samer|website=Defector|date=September 19, 2022|access-date=September 19, 2022|language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/broncos-fans-count-down-play-clock-as-offensive-struggles-continue-texans|title=Broncos fans count down play clock as offensive struggles continue in win over Texans|last=Patra|first=Kevin|website=NFL.com|date=September 19, 2022|access-date=September 19, 2022|language=en}} The Broncos subsequently hired Jerry Rosburg to serve as an assistant to Hackett to help him with game and clock management, beginning with their Week 3 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.{{cite web|url=https://www.9news.com/article/sports/nfl/denver-broncos/mike-klis/hackett-brings-in-jerry-rosburg/73-f0f3ef31-9b0b-4958-ba25-e7ea0f929753|title=Hackett brings in veteran coach Jerry Rosburg as game management resource|last=Klis|first=Mike|website=KUSA 9 News Denver|date=September 24, 2022|access-date=September 24, 2022|language=en}} On November 20, Hackett ceded play-calling duties to quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak.{{Cite web|title=Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett turns over play-calling duties to quarterbacks coach Klint Kubiak|url=https://www.nfl.com/_amp/broncos-coach-nathaniel-hackett-turns-over-play-calling-duties-klint-kubiak|access-date=July 31, 2023|website=NFL.com|language=en}}
On December 26, 2022, with the Broncos sitting at 4–11 following a 51–14 Christmas Day loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Hackett was fired by the Broncos and was replaced by Jerry Rosburg for the last two games of the season.{{cite web |title=Broncos part ways with Head Coach Nathaniel Hackett |url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-part-ways-with-head-coach-nathaniel-hackett |website=www.denverbroncos.com |access-date=26 December 2022}}{{cite web |title=Denver Broncos fire coach Nathaniel Hackett after 4-11 start |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35323346/denver-broncos-fire-coach-nathaniel-hackett-4-11-start |website=ESPN.com |access-date=26 December 2022 |language=en |date=26 December 2022}}{{cite web|title=Broncos fire coach Nathaniel Hackett after 4-11 start to first season in Denver|url=https://www.nfl.com/news/broncos-fire-nathaniel-hackett-after-4-11-start-to-first-season-in-denver|author=Shook, Nick|website=NFL.com|date=December 26, 2022}} Hackett became the fifth head coach since the AFL–NFL merger in 1970 to not finish his first season after Lou Holtz in 1976, Pete McCulley in 1978, Bobby Petrino in 2007, and Urban Meyer in 2021.{{cite web |title=Nathaniel Hackett fired: Broncos coach just fifth since 1970 merger to not finish end of first season |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nathaniel-hackett-fired-broncos-coach-just-fifth-since-1970-merger-to-not-finish-end-of-first-season/ |website=CBSSports.com |date=December 26, 2022 |access-date=26 December 2022 |language=en}} Hackett's tenure as the Broncos' head coach has since been regarded as among the worst head coaching tenures in team and league history, including by his successor Sean Payton, who would later apologize for his comments.{{cite web|url=https://heavy.com/sports/denver-broncos/denver-broncos-historic-ineptitude-head-coach/|title=Denver Broncos Saw 'Historic Ineptitude' From Fired Head Coach|date=April 3, 2023 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nathaniel-hackett-fired-broncos-coach-just-fifth-since-1970-merger-to-not-finish-end-of-first-season/|title=Nathaniel Hackett fired: Broncos coach just fifth since 1970 merger to not finish end of first season|date=December 26, 2022 }}{{cite web|url=https://athlonsports.com/nfl/worst-nfl-coaches|title=NFL's 20 Worst Head Coaches Since 1990|date=December 17, 2021 }}{{cite web|url=https://elitesportsny.com/2023/01/26/jets-hire-nathaniel-hackett-confirm-aaron-rodgers-charm-offensive-is-on/|title=Jets hire Nathaniel Hackett, confirm Aaron Rodgers charm offensive is on|date=January 26, 2023 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/38081850/sean-payton-rips-nathaniel-hackett-broncos-job-jabs-jets|title=Sean Payton rips Nathaniel Hackett for Broncos job, jabs Jets|date=July 27, 2023 }}{{cite web | last=Crean | first=Tim | title=Regrets Or Not, Sean Payton Was Right About Broncos, Nathaniel Hackett | website=ClutchPoints | date=2023-07-28 | url=https://clutchpoints.com/broncos-sean-payton-right-about-nathaniel-hackett | access-date=2024-09-13}}
=New York Jets=
On January 28, 2023, the New York Jets announced they had hired Hackett as their new offensive coordinator in the wake of Mike LaFleur's firing.{{cite web | last=Reardon | first=Logan | title=Jets hire Nathaniel Hackett as OC despite Nick Caley interest | website=NBC Sports Boston | date=2023-01-26 | url=https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nfl/new-england-patriots/jets-hire-nathaniel-hackett-as-oc-despite-nick-caley-interest/283864/ | access-date=2024-09-13}}
After the firing of head coach Robert Saleh and a 2–3 start to the Jets' 2024 season, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich stripped Hackett of play-calling duties.{{cite web | last=Cimini | first=Rich | title=Jets demote Nathaniel Hackett, tap Todd Downing to call offense| website=ESPN | date=2024-10-10 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41717324/jets-demote-nathaniel-hackett-tap-todd-downing-call-offense| access-date=2024-10-10}} Hackett was reported to no longer be part of the organization after the season ended.{{cite web | last=Cimini | first=Rich | title=Jets continue overhaul, release WR Davante Adams| website=ESPN | date=2025-03-04 | url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/44108752/source-jets-continue-overhaul-releasing-wr-davante-adams| access-date=2025-03-05}}
Head coaching record
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%; text-align:center;" | ||||||||
| rowspan="2" |Team | rowspan="2" |Year | colspan="5" |Regular season | colspan="4" |Post season | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Won | Lost | Ties | Win % | Finish | Won | Lost | Win % | Result |
| DEN || 2022
|| 4 || 11 || 0 || {{winpct|4|11}} || Fired || — || — || — || — | ||||||||
| colspan="2"|Total || 4 || 11 || 0 || {{winpct|4|11}} || || 0 || 0 || .000 || |
Personal life
He is the son of former college football and NFL coach Paul Hackett.{{cite web | last=DiLalla | first=Aric | title=‘I couldn’t be prouder’: Longtime coach Paul Hackett relishes son Nathaniel’s chance to lead Broncos | website=Denver Broncos | date=2022-02-02 | url=https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/i-couldn-t-be-prouder-longtime-coach-paul-hackett-relishes-son-nathaniel-s-chanc | access-date=2024-09-13}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Denver Broncos coach navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hackett, Nathaniel}}
Category:American football linebackers
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Category:Buffalo Bills coaches
Category:Denver Broncos head coaches
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Category:NFL offensive coordinators
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Category:Stanford Cardinal football coaches
Category:Syracuse Orange football coaches
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Category:UC Davis Aggies football coaches