New Packers defensive line coach has come a long way since his receiving days

Wes Hodkiewicz

GREEN BAY DeMarcus Covington doesn't exactly fit the visual of a typical NFL defensive line coach.

On the surface, the former Samford receiver still looks as though he could go out and run a few routes at 36 years old.

But Covington, the Packers' new defensive line coach and run game coordinator, is much different today than when he was asked to coach on the defensive side of the ball as a graduate assistant at UAB in 2012.

Covington wasn't thrilled with the idea when it was first presented to him, but opportunity is opportunity.

"When they first told me I was moving to D-line, I was pissed," Covington said with a smile. "I was like, 'How's a guy like me going to coach D-line?' So, what do you do as a young guy? You dive in. You have to turn the page."

That's what Covington did, learning how to coach the position from the grassroots level. He studied D-line drills, took meticulous notes on footwork and hand combat. Covington wanted his players to understand the fundamentals and how they translate to winning in the trenches.

Success at the collegiate level sprouted into an entry-level position with the New England Patriots, where Covington rose from a coaching assistant all the way to defensive coordinator.

Six of his seven years with the Patriots were spent with future Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Belichick, who told Covington after he was hired in 2017 that he was "going to get a master's degree in football" during his time in New England.

That's precisely what occurred.

Learning to see "the big picture," Covington won a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots in 2018 and led their defensive line for four years before earning a promotion to defensive coordinator after Jarod Mayo succeeded Belichick last year.

"When you think about coaching, coaching is teaching," Covington said. "If you're able to teach effectively, you should be able to go down the line and teach anything and apply principles to it. Because principles don't change. ... And then obviously you put in the factor of getting the players to buy into you."

A changeover in New England led to Covington exploring new NFL opportunities this offseason and that path brought him to Green Bay on defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley's staff.

The two had working knowledge of each other from Hafley's four years as head coach at Boston College, where the Patriots' and Eagles' coaching staffs occasionally dropped by each other's practices.

Both Hafley and Head Coach Matt LaFleur admitted they interviewed a lot of candidates when searching for a replacement for Jason Rebrovich, who was let go after the 2024 season.

Covington's background, coaching style and experience as an NFL defensive coordinator saw him emerge as the right individual to lead the Packers' defensive front moving forward.

"I like the fact that he can coach a bunch of different techniques," Hafley said. "He's been involved in a lot of different fronts. I love his demeanor, I love the way he coaches, I love the relationship he has with his players. We did our homework on him."

Covington's charge in Green Bay is to maintain the strides the defensive front made against the run last season it's first top 10 finish in 15 years while improving its pass rush.

The Packers tied for eighth with 45 sacks last season but part of that was in-season adjustments made by Hafley, who incorporated inside linebackers and cornerbacks on simulated pressures and blitz packages.

Covington told Hafley upon his hiring he sees serious potential with both the interior D-line and edge rush. Together, it makes for an athletic defensive front that plays fast and runs to the ball.

The goal is to take that talent and mold it into more consistent production. The prospects are enticing, as this will be the first time Covington has ever coached a first-round pick.

More precisely, he has four: three-time Pro BowlerKenny Clark,Rashan Gary,Devonte Wyatt, andLukas Van Ness.

"Our personnel guys have done a great job of drafting great, talented players," Covington said. "Anybody would sign up for this job. Not only just being one of 32 to be a defensive line coach (in the NFL), but when you look at the talent we have across the board at each position, sign us up for it."

There are three things Covington identifies as essentials to generating pressure the start, the fight zone and the finish and D-linemen must be effective in all three areas to win their assignment.

When it comes to getting the best out of his players, the former wideout isn't afraid to jump into the fray. Because he's not a coach who just talks about what he wants to see he shows you.

"I think DC's done a great job," LaFleur said. "I was just talking with Kenny Clark about it as a matter of fact just in terms of the technique, the level of detail at which (Covington) coaches, his ability to communicate, his ability to bring great energy to that room. So I'm looking forward to it."

A receiver on his resume but a teacher at heart, Covington is eager to get to work with the Packers' new defensive front.

"I don't lead behind the podium. I don't point and lead, I go out and do it." Covington said. "You'll see me on the grass getting dirty. That's just the way I operate and how we're going to operate here. Whatever they do, I can do it, too. That's how I look at it."