The Green Bay Packers have fired defensive coordinator Bob Sanders and five assistant coaches.

Defensive Ends Coach Carl Hairston, Defensive Tackles Coach Robert Nunn, Secondary Coach Kurt Schottenheimer, Defensive Nickel Package/Cornerbacks Coach Lionel Washington, and Strength & Conditioning Coordinator Rock Gullickson were all fired with Sanders on Monday.

"These are difficult decisions," Packers Head Coach Mike McCarthy said in a news release. "I hold each of these men in high regard on a personal level, and I want thank them for their service to the Green Bay Packers."

The Packers' defense finished 22nd in points allowed in 2008, 20th in total yards surrendered and 26th in rushing yards allowed.

Green Bay also lost all seven games in which the margin of victory was four points or less. 

In each of those games, the Packers' defense allowed its opponent to either take the lead in the final 7:17 of the 4th quarter or win the game in overtime.