Before entering the NFL ranks, Hafley spent 11 years on the collegiate sidelines with coaching stints at
Worcester Polytechnic (2001),
Albany (2002–05),
Pittsburgh (2006–10) and
Rutgers (2011). While at Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights were the ninth-ranked passing defense in the country and
Duron Harmon earned first-team All-Big East honors and
Logan Ryan received second-team accolades. Both Harmon and Ryan were drafted by and played for the
New England Patriots.
[7]
In 2012, Hafley made his NFL coaching debut with the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He joined the Bucs as assistant defensive backs coach and spent 2013 as the secondary coach/safeties. In 2013, Hafley oversaw a unit which helped Tampa Bay finish tied for third in the NFL with 21 interceptions.[
citation needed] On January 27, 2014, Hafley was hired by the
Cleveland Browns to coach the secondary. Hafley would remain in this role for 2 seasons (2014–15), before being relieved of his duties due to a coaching overhaul.[
citation needed] On January 24, 2016, Hafley was hired by
San Francisco 49ers' new head coach
Chip Kelly to coach the defensive backs.
[8] In 2019, he was hired to be the co-defensive coordinator at
Ohio State. Hafley quickly established himself as one of the best recruiters in the country, being ranked ninth overall recruiter for the 2020 class by
247Sports.com.
[9] On December 13, 2019, he was hired to be the head coach at
Boston College after the firing of
Steve Addazio.
[10]