The Green Bay Packers have appointed Cam Achord as their special teams coordinator, as announced by Head Coach Matt LaFleur on Friday. Achord brings a wealth of experience to the role, having spent a decade coaching special teams in the NFL, including four years as a coordinator. His most recent stop was with the New York Giants, where he played a pivotal role in the team's success over the past two seasons. During his tenure, the Giants' kickoff return unit achieved a remarkable 27.7 average, the second-highest in franchise history, and ranked fifth in the NFL in 2025. This unit's performance was highlighted by the achievements of Isaiah Simmons and Ihmir Smith-Marsette, who both earned NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors in 2024. Simmons' game-changing block and subsequent 60-yard return for a touchdown in Week 5, and Smith-Marsette's 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in Week 17, showcased the unit's prowess. Prior to the Giants, Achord spent six years with the New England Patriots, initially as an assistant special teams coach and later as the coordinator. During this time, the Patriots consistently ranked highly in kickoff return average and coverage team performance, with a 26.2-yard kickoff return average in 2023 and a 20.6-yard coverage average. In 2022, Achord's unit led the NFL in punt return yards and total return yards, with rookie Marcus Jones earning All-Pro honors. The Patriots also excelled in opponent kickoff return starting field position in 2020 and 2021, further solidifying Achord's expertise in special teams strategy. Before his NFL career, Achord honed his skills at Southwest Mississippi Community College, where he served as a coordinator for offensive, special teams, and recruiting. His college coaching experience also included roles as an offensive graduate assistant and special teams graduate assistant at the University of Southern Mississippi, further enriching his understanding of the game. Achord's playing career began at Belhaven University, where he was a four-year starter at free safety and team captain in 2008 and 2009. His diverse background in coaching, playing, and leadership positions makes him a valuable addition to the Packers' coaching staff.
