40 Facts About Matt Lafleur

Early Life and Education

Matt LaFleur's journey to becoming a top NFL coach began in a small town in Michigan. His early years were filled with sports and a passion for football.

1. Birth and Early Life: Matt LaFleur was born on November 3, 1979, in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. Growing up in a sports-oriented family, his father played a significant role in nurturing his interest in football.

2. High School Career: LaFleur attended Mount Pleasant High School, where he excelled as a quarterback. His impressive performance on the field earned him a scholarship to Western Michigan University.

3. College Football: At Western Michigan University, LaFleur continued to develop his skills as a quarterback under head coach Gary Darnell. Although he faced challenges during his college career, including injuries, LaFleur's determination and work ethic stood out.

4. Transfer to Saginaw Valley State: After two years at Western Michigan, LaFleur transferred to Saginaw Valley State University, a Division II school in Michigan. This move allowed him to play quarterback, the position he truly wanted to excel in.

5. College Career at Saginaw Valley State: During his time at Saginaw Valley State, LaFleur was a standout player, leading the team as their starting quarterback from 2000 to 2002. He helped guide the team to success in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and became the all-time leader in passing yards (7,699), completions, and passing touchdowns (67).

6. College Achievements: LaFleur's leadership on the field and his ability to distribute the football effectively earned him recognition as one of the top quarterbacks in the conference. He was inducted into the SVSU Cardinal Athletic Hall of Fame in 2021.

Transition to Coaching

After his playing days, LaFleur found his true calling in coaching. His journey through various coaching roles shaped him into the leader he is today.

7. Professional Football Career: LaFleur briefly played professionally in the National Indoor Football League with the Omaha Beef as the backup quarterback in 2003. The following summer, he signed with the Billings Outlaws.

8. Coaching Beginnings: After his playing career, LaFleur transitioned into coaching, starting at the collegiate level. His first official coaching role came in 2003 when he was hired as the quarterbacks coach at Saginaw Valley State University.

9. Graduate Assistant at Central Michigan University: LaFleur began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Central Michigan University. This role marked the beginning of his journey in coaching, where he quickly made a name for himself due to his innovative approach and deep understanding of the game.

10. Offensive Coordinator at Northern Michigan University: LaFleur worked at various colleges, including a notable stint at Northern Michigan University, where he served as the offensive coordinator. His ability to develop quarterbacks and implement successful offensive strategies caught the attention of NFL teams.

NFL Coaching Career

LaFleur's NFL coaching career is marked by significant achievements and contributions to various teams. His innovative strategies and leadership skills have left a lasting impact.

11. NFL Coaching Career: LaFleur's NFL career began in 2008 when he was hired as the quarterbacks coach for the Houston Texans. Under head coach Gary Kubiak, LaFleur gained valuable experience working with elite quarterbacks like Matt Schaub.

12. Washington Redskins: In 2010, LaFleur moved to the Washington Redskins under Kyle Shanahan's father, Mike Shanahan. There, he could visualize and enact his offensive genius, leading to a strong run as a quarterbacks coach.

13. Notre Dame: LaFleur took a break from the NFL to work at Notre Dame, where he led the team and quarterback Everett Golson to a historic campaign with nearly 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns.

14. Atlanta Falcons: LaFleur returned to the NFL in 2015 as the quarterbacks coach for the Atlanta Falcons, working under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. During his two seasons with the team, he became one of the best quarterbacks coaches in the league, playing a pivotal role in the emergence and excellence of Matt Ryan as he won his sole NFL MVP award.

15. Super Bowl LI: The Falcons reached Super Bowl LI, where they faced the New England Patriots. Despite a 28–3 lead, the Falcons squandered it and lost 34–28 in overtime, a monumental meltdown that drew heavy fan and media criticism.

16. Los Angeles Rams: In 2017, LaFleur joined the Los Angeles Rams coaching staff as offensive coordinator, working under head coach Sean McVay. Under LaFleur and McVay, the Rams finished the year with an 11–5 record and as the league's number one scoring offense, scoring 478 points through 16 games.

17. Tennessee Titans: LaFleur's next stint was as the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans in 2018. However, an injury-plagued season led to the team managing just the 27th-ranked offense.

Head Coaching with the Green Bay Packers

LaFleur's tenure with the Green Bay Packers has been marked by success, innovation, and strong leadership. His impact on the team is undeniable.

18. Head Coaching Debut: On September 5, 2019, LaFleur made his regular-season head coaching debut against the Chicago Bears and led the Packers to a 10–3 victory. He also became the first Green Bay coach to win his first game against the Bears since Vince Lombardi in 1959.

19. First Season as Head Coach: The Packers finished with a 13–3 record in LaFleur’s first season as a head coach, making him the first rookie head coach to win 10 games, make the playoffs, and win the NFC North. In addition, the 13 wins were the most from a rookie coach since Jim Harbaugh did it with the 49ers in 2011.

20. Postseason Debut: LaFleur led Green Bay to their first postseason berth since the 2016 season as the NFC's number two seed. He won his postseason debut against the Seattle Seahawks 28–23 in the divisional round of the playoffs to advance to the NFC Championship Game.

21. NFC Championship Game: The Packers fell to the top-seeded San Francisco 49ers 37–20 in the NFC Championship Game. Despite this loss, 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 (only George Seifert, at 28–4, has a better record).

22. Offensive Performance: LaFleur’s team finished as the league’s number one offense, scoring 509 points over the course of the season. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for a Packers franchise-record 48 touchdowns.

23. Playoff Run: In the playoffs, LaFleur and the Packers hosted the Los Angeles Rams, who had the league’s number one scoring defense and were led by one of LaFleur’s former bosses, Rams coach Sean McVay. The Packers defeated the Rams 32–18 to host the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 2007.

24. NFC Championship Game Loss: The Packers lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers 31–26. LaFleur was criticized for his decision to kick a field goal when the Packers were down 31-23 instead of trying to tie the game with a touchdown and a two-point conversion under league MVP Aaron Rodgers.

Recent Seasons and Achievements

LaFleur continues to lead the Packers with a focus on innovation and player development. His recent seasons have been filled with notable achievements.

25. Week 10 Victory: The Packers then shut out Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson the following week, winning their Week 10 game 17–0. This marked the first time Wilson had been shut out in his career.

26. Week 11 Loss: In Week 11, LaFleur’s Packers fell 31–34 to their division rival Minnesota Vikings but rebounded to win 36–28 against LaFleur’s former boss Sean McVay and the Los Angeles Rams the following week.

27. Division Title: The Packers clinched their third consecutive NFC North title with a tight 31–30 Week 15 victory over the Baltimore Ravens. LaFleur became the first head coach since Dallas’s Barry Switzer to win the division in each of his first three years as head coach.

28. Winning Record: LaFleur became the winningest coach since Jim Harbaugh in 2011, achieving a remarkable winning record in his first two seasons as head coach. He was also responsible for a 13-3 record, the first Packers coach with double-digit victories while also leading the team to a division title and a perfect record against the NFC North.

29. Player Development: LaFleur is known for his ability to develop quarterbacks and offensive players, helping them reach their full potential. His coaching philosophy emphasizes communication, trust, and accountability, believing that these elements are crucial for team success.

30. Innovative Play-Calling: LaFleur’s creative approach to offensive strategies keeps opponents on their toes and opens up scoring opportunities. His innovative play-calling has been instrumental in maximizing quarterback play and adapting to the strengths of his players.

31. Building Relationships: LaFleur values building strong relationships with his players, fostering a sense of camaraderie and trust. This approach has been pivotal in his success as a coach, as it allows him to understand his players’ needs and develop strategies that maximize their potential.

32. Coaching Philosophy: LaFleur’s coaching philosophy revolves around creating a positive and collaborative environment for his players. He emphasizes efficiency, balance, and maximizing the strengths of his players, which has been reflected in the Packers’ high-scoring offenses during his tenure.

33. NFL Coach of the Month: LaFleur has been named the NFC Coach of the Month multiple times for his outstanding performance. His ability to adapt and innovate has kept him at the forefront of NFL coaching.

34. Impact on Players: LaFleur has had a significant impact on the players he has coached. His ability to develop quarterbacks and offensive players has been particularly notable, with players like Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers achieving great success under his guidance.

35. Leadership Skills: LaFleur’s leadership skills are highly regarded in the NFL. He has demonstrated the ability to lead teams to success through his strategic mind and his ability to build strong relationships with his players.

36. Offensive Strategies: LaFleur’s offensive strategies often focus on maximizing player strengths and utilizing a diverse playbook to keep defenses guessing. This approach has been instrumental in the Packers’ high-scoring offenses during his tenure.

37. Division Titles: LaFleur has led the Packers to three consecutive division titles, a feat that has not been achieved by a head coach since Barry Switzer with the Dallas Cowboys.

38. Winning Percentage: LaFleur has achieved a remarkable winning percentage in his first two seasons as head coach, making him one of the most successful coaches in NFL history.

39. Postseason Appearances: LaFleur has led the Packers to multiple postseason appearances, including a trip to the NFC Championship Game in both the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

40. Legacy in Coaching: Matt LaFleur’s legacy in coaching is one of innovation, leadership, and player development. His ability to adapt and innovate has kept him at the forefront of NFL coaching, and his impact on the game will be remembered for years to come.

Matt LaFleur's Impact on Football

Matt LaFleur's journey from a small-town quarterback to the head coach of the Green Bay Packers is nothing short of inspiring. His strategic mind, leadership skills, and knack for developing quarterbacks have made him a standout figure in the NFL. LaFleur's ability to innovate offensive strategies and build strong relationships with players has led to multiple division titles and playoff appearances. His tenure with the Packers has been marked by high-scoring offenses and a remarkable winning percentage. LaFleur's influence extends beyond the field, as he continues to shape the future of football with his creative play-calling and player development. His legacy in coaching is one of innovation, determination, and success. As LaFleur's career progresses, his impact on the game will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come.