Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers has done a solid job over the past two seasons, so much so that he might begin attracting attention as a potential head coaching candidate following this season.
Capers has coached two expansion teams during his NFL tenure, at Carolina and at Houston. He was eventually fired from both jobs.
But his credentials as a coordinator are sound, and its been no different in Green Bay. The Packers defense ranked No. 2 in yards allowed last season, and this year the Packers are No. 2 in points allowed per game despite a rash of injuries.
Capers was asked earlier this week if he would be interested in a head coaching job again. His reply:
Well, Ive always believed this for a long time. What you have to do, because we talk about it with the players, youve got to focus in so much on your job that any of those things on the outside, I dont ever let that type of thing even enter my mind, to tell you the truth. Ive done it twice before and my job from the day that Mike (McCarthy) brought me on board here is to try to do everything I can to help this football team achieve its goals. I think you certainly have to represent the things you talk to the players about all the time. Thats focus on the things you have control over and try to get this defense playing as well as it can play and get a group of guys to come together with a common goal. And I think were headed in the right direction. Weve had to overcome some bumps here in the first half of the season all those other things have a way of taking care of themselves.
Capers was forced to start from scratch in his first two head coaching stints. Wouldnt he like to take the reins from a team thats already established?
Ill say this, its a unique experience when you go in and you have zero players and you have about six months to play against teams that have been doing it for 50 years, Capers said.
He praised his assistant coaches. Weve got a really outstanding young defensive staff and I think all those guys have capabilities, Capers said. Theyre going to ascend in this profession. Were very fortunate I think to have the group of defensive coaches we have here.
When asked if he believes hes still young enough to be a head coach, the 60-year-old Capers said: Well Id like to think Im not over the hill.