Dr. George E. Koonce, a former linebacker for the Green Bay Packers, has built an impressive career both on and off the football field. He began his post-NFL journey in higher education, serving as Assistant Athletic Director for Development at East Carolina University. He went on to co-author the book Is There Life After Football? – Surviving the NFL, and held leadership roles including Senior Associate Director of Athletics at Marquette University and Athletic Director at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Today, he serves as the Senior Vice President for University Relations at Marian University.

Originally from North Carolina, Dr. Koonce was raised by his mother and grandmother, overcoming a challenging childhood. With his mother’s support, he balanced academics with athletics and played football through high school and college. After graduating from East Carolina University, he entered the NFL in 1991 with the Atlanta Falcons before signing with the Green Bay Packers in 1992. He spent eight seasons as a starting linebacker with the Packers and concluded his NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks, starting all 16 games of his final
season.

Determined to continue growing after football, Dr. Koonce returned to school and earned a Master’s in Sports Management from East Carolina. He later earned a PhD from Marquette University, becoming one of only two Packers players in the franchise’s 100-year history to achieve this distinction. Known affectionately as “The Doctor of Defense,” he is widely respected for his academic and professional accomplishments.

Dr. Koonce currently serves in numerous leadership roles, including on the Board of Directors for the Green Bay Packers, as Vice Chairman of the Board for Church Mutual Regent Insurance, Trustee of The Nature Conservancy of Wisconsin and the Kohler Trust for Preservation, Director on the Horicon Bank Board, Board Member for Ascension Healthcare Wisconsin, and a member of the NFL Draft 2025 Host Committee.