GLENDALE – Tuesday was a day of celebration for the LaFleur family. The Arizona Cardinals held an introductory press conference for new head coach Mike LaFleur. The 38-year-old detailed his early beginnings of working at Division III Elmhurst that led him to this opportunity. Throughout his speech about the journey, he kept mentioning his family playing a massive part of his love for football, including Green Bay Packers head coach and brother Matt LaFleur.
The two have a close relationship, and when Matt was asked by reporters about if he saw both of them coaching in the NFL, he used very colorful language to explain.
Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, left, talks with head coach Matt LaFleur before their game against the Houston Texans Sunday, October 20, 2024 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Syndication: The Record
Mike LaFleur on brother getting this opportunity:
The brothers came from humble beginnings, getting their start at Division II and III schools. Elmhurst and Saginaw Valley State both had previous NFL head coaches on their roster and staff. Matt has the bragging rights of being able to coach at Central Michigan, the family’s favorite team from 2004 and 2005. The bond and sibling rivalry between Matt and Mike is what drove both of them making it to the NFL.
Arizona Cardinals new coach head Mike LaFleur and brother Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur poses with his family during a news conference on Feb. 3, 2026, at Arizona Cardinals training center in Tempe.
In 2008, the current Packers head coach was the first to make it to the league with the Houston Texans as an offensive quality control coach. Much as the role of the younger brother, Mike tried to match his brother in success, being hired by the Cleveland Browns at age 27, two years younger than when Matt was hired in the NFL.
The duo have very different paths going from team to team, but somehow found their way to the Atlanta Falcons in 2015-2016. Mike called that experience one of the best coaching experience in his career to be with his brother. That opportunity soon led to the brothers making massive strives in their career.
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt Lafleur is shown during the first quarter of their game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, January 4, 2026 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Matt become the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Rams for one season each, before being hired by the Packers to be their next head coach in 2019. Mike went under the tutelage of San Francisco 49ers Kyle Shanahan for four years and got his first OC Job in 2021 with the New York Jets.
After two seasons, Mike would take over his brother’s old job as the offensive coordinator for the Rams for three years. Similar to his brother, that job helped him earn his first head coaching gig with the Cardinals. The journey the brothers went on has taken them across the nation for college and professional football for different coaching roles, but it has led them to both being NFL head coaches.
18 Cardinals players show up to support new head coach Mike LaFleur
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
