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Nathaniel Hackett

Nathaniel Hackett is an American football coach who has worked in the NFL and college football.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Nathaniel Hackett is an American football coach who has held various offensive coordinator roles in the National Football League (NFL) and served as head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2022. Born on December 19, 1979, in Fullerton, California, he played college football at UC Davis before beginning his coaching career. In 2026, he was hired as offensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals.

Early life and education

Hackett was born into a football coaching family and grew up around the sport. He attended the University of California, Davis, where he played football and studied neurobiology before moving into coaching.

Coaching career

Hackett began coaching in college football, including at Stanford and Syracuse, before moving to the NFL. His NFL coaching career began with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2006 as a quality control coach. He later served as offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, and New York Jets.

Denver Broncos tenure

Hackett was hired as head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2022. He was fired during his first season after the team struggled and finished with a 4–11 record under his leadership.

Arizona Cardinals role

In 2026, Hackett was hired by the Arizona Cardinals as offensive coordinator. The move followed his previous stint with the Green Bay Packers as a defensive analyst in 2025.

Key facts

  • Nathaniel Hackett was born on December 19, 1979, in Fullerton, California.
  • He played college football at UC Davis before beginning a coaching career.
  • His NFL coaching career began with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2006 as a quality control coach.
  • He served as offensive coordinator for the Bills, Jaguars, Packers, and Jets.
  • He was the Denver Broncos' head coach in 2022 and was dismissed during that season.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Nathaniel Hackett?
Nathaniel Hackett is an American football coach known for NFL offensive coordinator roles and for serving as head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2022.
When was Nathaniel Hackett born?
He was born on December 19, 1979, in Fullerton, California.
What teams has Nathaniel Hackett coached in the NFL?
He has coached for the Buccaneers, Bills, Jaguars, Packers, Jets, Broncos, and Cardinals in various roles.
Did Nathaniel Hackett play college football?
Yes. He played college football at UC Davis before starting his coaching career.
What is Nathaniel Hackett’s current role?
He is the offensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals, a position he began in 2026.

References

  1. Arizona Cardinals — https://www.azcardinals.com/team/coaches-roster/nathaniel-hackett
    Supports: Current role, 2026 hiring, prior NFL coaching history
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathaniel_Hackett
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, overall coaching career, Broncos head coach tenure
  3. Stanford Athletics — https://gostanford.com/news/2013/04/17/player-bio-nathaniel-hackett
    Supports: Birthplace, early coaching background, family football background
  4. Denver Broncos — https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-agree-to-terms-with-nathaniel-hackett-as-head-coach
    Supports: Hiring as Broncos head coach and experience summary
  5. Syracuse University Athletics — https://cuse.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/nathaniel--hackett/617
    Supports: Coaching roles, UC Davis education, birth information