Hired January 24, 2018, Ryan Downard begins his first season as the Packers’ defensive quality control coach. He spent the previous two seasons at Bowling Green State University, where he served as the team’s safeties coach in 2017 after working his first season as director of football operations.

Hired January 24, 2018, Ryan Downard begins his first season as the Packers’ defensive quality control coach. He spent the previous two seasons at Bowling Green State University, where he served as the team’s safeties coach in 2017 after working his first season as director of football operations.

In his current role in Green Bay, Downard will work closely with defensive coordinator Mike Pettine with a focus on coaching the secondary in addition to breaking down opponent game film and analyzing their offensive tendencies, developing the playbook, compiling team and player reports and coordinating the opponent scout team.

As safeties coach at Bowling Green, Downard was instrumental in the development of S Marcus Milton. In his first year after transitioning from cornerback, Milton tied for the Falcons’ team lead with three interceptions and finished fourth with 60 tackles in 2017. Downard also oversaw the development of Fred Garth, a junior-college transfer who led the team with 95 total tackles. Garth’s 95 tackles ranked No. 8 in the Mid-American Conference in 2017 and No. 1 among full-time defensive backs.

In 2016 at Bowling Green as director of football operations, Downard was responsible for the departmental budget, personnel and staffing, academics, team travel and summer camps.

Downard has spent two previous seasons with Pettine, working as a defensive coaching assistant for the Cleveland Browns while Pettine was the team’s head coach. Downard assisted with Cleveland’s defensive backs in 2015 and the defensive line in 2014. During the season, Downard was also responsible for game-week preparations, including game plan, film breakdown, practice cards, scouting reports and call sheets. Off the field, his role also saw him conduct rookie meetings during his tenure with the Browns. 

Prior to his time with Pettine in Cleveland, Downard was a graduate assistant at Texas Tech and Toledo. At Texas Tech, Downard assisted current Chiefs outside linebackers coach Mike Smith while Smith was the Red Raiders’ defensive coordinator. 

Downard played collegiately at Eastern Michigan, where his six interceptions in 2007 ranked No. 2 in the country among freshman and No. 12 in the nation. Downard’s freshman campaign saw him earn Freshman All-America honorable mention from Scout.com. As a team captain his senior year, Downard finished No. 3 on the Eagles with 60 total tackles.

A native of Lima, Ohio, Downard and his wife, Julie, live in Hobart with their two sons, Jaxon and Camden.