GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay Packers announced Friday the hiring of Cam Achord as their novel special teams coordinator, filling a role left vacant earlier this month when Rich Bisaccia unexpectedly resigned. Head Coach Matt LaFleur made the announcement, bringing aboard a coach with a decade of NFL experience and a track record of building successful special teams units.
The move comes after a swift search for a replacement, complicated by the fact that most special teams coordinator positions across the league had already been filled by the time Bisaccia stepped down on February 17. LaFleur and the Packers quickly focused on a group of finalists, ultimately selecting Achord for his vision and experience, according to reports.
Achord, whose last name is pronounced (AY-cord), joins the Packers after two seasons as an assistant special teams coach with the New York Giants (2024-2025). During his time in New York, the Giants’ kickoff return game flourished, setting a single-season franchise record with 1,942 yards on 70 returns – an average of 27.7 yards per return – surpassing the previous mark of 1,688 yards set in 1964. The 2025 Giants’ kickoff return average ranked fifth in the NFL, and the team saw two players recognized with NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Isaiah Simmons earned the award in Week 5 after blocking a game-tying field goal attempt and returning it for a touchdown, while Ihmir Smith-Marsette was honored in Week 17 for a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown.
From New England to New York
Prior to his stint with the Giants, Achord spent six years with the New England Patriots, beginning as an assistant special teams coach from 2018-2019 before being promoted to special teams coordinator from 2020-2023. During his time in New England, the Patriots consistently ranked among the league’s best in special teams efficiency. In 2020, the Patriots were ranked No. 1 in Rick Gosselin’s annual rankings of all 32 NFL teams’ special teams, and ranked fourth in opponent kickoff return starting field position in both 2020 and 2021.
In 2022, Achord’s Patriots unit led the NFL with 418 punt return yards and finished third in total return yards (1,274). Rookie Marcus Jones earned first-team All-Pro honors from The Associated Press as a punt returner, ranking second in total return yards (1,007) and punt return average (10.7 yards) and leading the league with 362 punt return yards and an 84-yard return for a touchdown. In 2023, the Patriots finished third in the NFL with a 26.2-yard kickoff return average and sixth in coverage, allowing an average of 20.6 yards per return.
Early Coaching Career and Collegiate Background
Achord’s coaching journey began outside the NFL, with five seasons at Southwest Mississippi Community College (2013-2017), where he served as offensive, special teams, and recruiting coordinator, also coaching quarterbacks, running backs, and tight ends. Before that, he held offensive graduate assistant roles at the University of Southern Mississippi (2012) and as a special teams graduate assistant at Southern Miss (2010-2011), working with linebackers.
His playing career began at Belhaven University, where he was a four-year starter at free safety and served as a team captain in both 2008 and 2009.
Addressing a Need for Consistency
The Packers’ decision to hire Achord signals a desire for greater consistency in the special teams phase of the game. While Bisaccia was well-liked by players, the Packers struggled with their kicking game and field position throughout his tenure. The team hopes Achord can bring a renewed focus and strategic approach to special teams, improving performance in all areas, from kicking and punting to coverage and returns.
The Packers are attempting to improve a unit that has been a weakness in recent seasons. The team struggled to consistently win the field position battle and lacked explosive plays in the return game. Achord’s experience building successful special teams units, particularly his time with the Patriots, suggests he has the expertise to address these issues.
The Packers did not disclose the terms of Achord’s contract. The team is currently preparing for the upcoming NFL draft and will continue to evaluate their roster needs as they build towards the 2026 season.
The next key date for the Packers will be the start of the NFL league year on March 13, when free agency begins and teams can commence signing players to new contracts. The Packers will likely continue to assess their special teams needs and may gaze to add players who can contribute to Achord’s unit.
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