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Green Bay Packers fire special teams coach Shawn Slocum

By Vinnie Criscenzo

Nov 4, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; A Green Bay Packers helmet during the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Chicago won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2013; Green Bay, WI, USA; A Green Bay Packers helmet during the game against the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. Chicago won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Green Bay Packers have fired special teams coach Shawn Slocum.

Twelve days after losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship game, the Green Bay Packers have relieved Shawn Slocum of his duties as special teams coach.

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The Packers finished the 2014 season as one of the worst teams statistically on special teams. They finished only ahead of the Arizona Cardinals in average kickoff return yards and dead last in punting yards. They also allowed the second-most kickoff return yards behind the San Diego Chargers, and are one of only six teams that allowed a kickoff to be retuned for a touchdown.

The Packers were ranked dead last in The Dallas Morning News’ annual special teams rankings, which is a very respected ranking system that uses multiple statistics to weigh the rankings. In the six years since Slocum has been hired, the Packers have finished 29th or worse three times and have never been ranked higher than 12th.

There were also two huge special team blunders that led to the team’s loss in the NFC Championship game to the Seahawks. The first was on Seattle’s fake field-goal attempt that went for a touchdown. It seemed that certain players, such as Davon House and A.J. Hawk, didn’t exactly know what to do or where to be on the fake. Second was Brandon Bostick’s blunder of trying to catch the on-sides kick and ending up giving the ball away to Seattle.

It seems like these events were the final straw, as Slocum was finally relieved of his duties. It must have been very hard for Mike McCarthy, as he and Slocum began their coaching careers together back in 1990. When McCarthy was hired as head coach by the Packers back in 2006, he brought Slocum with him and eventually promoted him to special teams coach in 2009.

"I would like to thank Shawn for all of his contributions over the past nine years, McCarthy said. He was a positive contributor to our success, including helping us win Super Bowl XLV. We wish Shawn, Michelle and their family the best moving forward"

It’s not easy to have to fire a good friend, but it was more than necessary for the Packers.

It has yet to be seen who will take over for Slocum as special team’s coordinator. However, the Packers hired former Illinois and Florida head coach Ron Zoom last year as an assistant special teams coach. So, it is very possible that he gets the promotion to special teams coordinator.

[H/T: Fox Sports Wisconsin]

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