Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine has moved from up in the box during games to down on the sideline to start the 2019 season.

Pettine explained how a more hands-on approach, a simpler defensive playcall sheet and the ability to avoid major logistical challenges drove his decision to move down to the field this year.

“Just to be there, and to make those adjustments on the spot with the coaches, to look at the stills together, or sit down with a player and make sure we’re on the same page,” Pettine said Saturday afternoon at Lambeau Field. “And I’m on the field with all the position coaches, so if we need to make a change we can very quickly get together. The hands-on thing is by far the best thing.”

Last year, Pettine said his experience calling games from the box and the large volume of playcalls led him to coaching from up top. There’s information to be gained from sitting in the box, but now Pettine has trained lieutenants to gather that information for him.

The new setup provides a chance to get what he needs from the box while he works side-by-side with players and coaches on the field.

“I’m an information guy. I like to spread out,” Pettine said. “I feel this past year I was able to train some of the guys that are here who are still going to be up top as far as what I’m looking for, information-wise, that I can get the best of both worlds. I can still get that info without having to be up there. But I just felt the need to be a little bit more hands-on.”

Simplifying the defense from a scheme standpoint has also helped. Instead of scanning through a huge playcall sheet between plays, Pettine now has less to work through.

“With our call sheet being simpler this year, I think we can cut down on our volume. I don’t have to have access to as much stuff up top to spread out and go through. So I just felt it was a natural thing to make the move,” Pettine said.

Last but not least, Pettine now has fewer logistical challenges during games. Being on the field eliminates the long, time-consuming journey from the press box to the locker room, and more time with players and coaches has inherent benefits.

“Here at Lambeau, it’s not the easiest path to get to the press box. It takes some time. You have to go to the elevator, then you’re up and then you’re on a golf cart. Then, you’re off of that and you walk to an elevator lobby and you’re up to another elevator lobby and then you’re out and you walk. It’s a process and you have to leave early enough to get up there and get settled,” Pettine said.

“You kind of miss that time at the end to be able to address the players and look them in the eye, and go around and make any adjustments pre-game and the same thing at halftime. By the time you get down, those halftimes go pretty quick. You guys are up eating food in the press box, we’re scrambling to go through our substitutions, and who’s injured and get word from the trainers, and make any schematic adjustments; what’s working, what’s not working. Position coaches break out and get with their players and then the coordinators circle through. That was really hard to get all that done. I found myself having to leave so early. There’s some places on the road where it’s easier access, you’re up and you’re down, but I didn’t like that lack of access to the players.”