As they try to move on after their NFC Championship collapse, the Packers will do so without special teams coordinator Shawn Slocum. Head coach Mike McCarthy announced Slocum's dismissal Friday.
“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."
MORE: Coaches fired, hired, resigned, retired | Rodgers gives kids an unforgettable day | Photos
The Seahawks looked down and out in the title game until the Packers' special teams units made two game-changing mistakes. First, Seattle punter Jon Ryan threw a touchdown on a fake field-goal attempt to a wide-open Garry Gilliam for Seattle's first score of the game.
Later, with the Packers ahead 19-14 and just over two minutes remaining, Green Bay tight end Brandon Bostick, instead of blocking, attempted to catch Steven Hauschka's onside kick. The ball bounced off Bostick's facemask and into the hands of Seattle's Chris Matthews.
After the recovery, the Seahawks needed just four plays and 50 yards to take a 22-19 lead on Marshawn Lynch's 24-yard touchdown run with 1:25 remaining. Green Bay did force overtime with a Mason Crosby field goal, but the Seahawks won in overtime. Now Seattle, not Green Bay, will face the Patriots on Sunday in Super Bowl XLIX.
Under Slocum, Green Bay's return units were near the bottom of the league. Only the Cardinals had a worse kickoff return average than the Packers' 19.1 mark in 2014. Green Bay's punter, Tim Masthay, ranked 26th in the league with a 44.1-yard average. Masthay and Crosby had a combined seven kicks blocked in 2014.
Slocum, 49, had been the Packers' special teams coordinator since 2009. He was the assistant coordinator from 2006 to 2008.