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- Mar 19, 2019
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Pettine discerned just as quickly Gray was the right fit, after getting a lot of positive feedback from mutual acquaintances when the Packers began looking for a replacement for secondary coach Jason Simmons, who moved on to the Carolina Panthers.
The two experienced defensive minds met for a couple of hours in Florida, but the conversation didn't need to last that long.
"Guys that had worked with him just raved about him, about his work ethic, his demeanor with the players," Pettine said. "He has such a positive reputation as a teacher, it's great to have his experience in the room."
Now Gray simply wants to impart that experience on a young group of Packers defensive backs that has only two players – safeties Adrian Amos and Will Redmond – with more than three pro seasons under their belts.
He's especially excited about a stable of recent high draft picks – first-rounders Darnell Savage and Jaire Alexander, along with second-rounders Kevin King and Josh Jackson, looking to make their mark in the league. He sees the cornerbacks in particular possessing different playing styles, and he wants to zero in on what each does best.
Upon getting the job over the winter and then throughout the virtual offseason, Gray studied the film on all his players and reviewed it with them. He kept his assessments honest and straightforward.
He doesn't tout his resume to them, but having mentored Pro Bowlers as far back as Blaine Bishop and Samari Rolle to as recently as Xavier Rhodes, with Nate Clements, DeAngelo Hall, Antoine Winfield and others in between, he's got plenty to offer.
"My job is to make sure the guys are getting better and seeing the success on the football field that they want to see, and they'll keep listening," he said, describing how Bishop told him early in his coaching career what players wanted. "If you don't see success, they won't come back. My job is to keep them coming back."
As the Packers' secondary enters 2020 with a starting quartet of Alexander, King, Amos and Savage, other roles are to be determined.
Chandon Sullivan may have the inside track on the nickel job, but Jackson is looking to emerge after injuries set him back in 2019, and Ka'dar Hollman is moving past his redshirt rookie year.
Raven Greene settled nicely into the third safety/hybrid linebacker role last year before an injury abruptly ended his season after two games. Redmond brings experience as a backup safety and Vernon Scott joins the mix as a rookie seventh-round pick.
Other new players at both spots could surprise as well.
Gray will teach as much as they can learn. It's what he came to Green Bay to do.
"Those guys are still young, so it gives me a chance to come over and put a little stamp on what they can do," he said.
"I tell all the young guys, I got the knowledge to get you where you have to go. Now, it's up to you to want to work to get there."