Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, Tennessee offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley have been linked to the Falcons’ vacant head coaching position, according to a report by NFL Media on Sunday.
The Falcons fired head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff on Oct 11 after starting the season 0-5.
The Falcons have said they will have a wide-ranging and inclusive search. The Falcons have been researching Bowles, Smith and Staley, according to the report. The Falcons could not contact candidates until the regular season was completed Sunday night.
Among those to be interviewed Monday by Atlanta is Kansas City’s Eric Bieniemy, according to an NFL source familiar with the situation. San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh also will have a virtual interview, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed on his postgame zoom call Sunday.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Buffalo offensive coordinator Brian Daboll also is among the top head coaching prospects this hiring cycle.
Bowles, 57, was interviewed for the head coaching job back in 2015, when it went to Quinn. Bowles, a former NFL player who started his coaching career in Atlanta in 1997 at Morehouse, landed the New York Jets job. After a promising 10-6 start in his first season, Bowles finished 24-40 in four seasons and was fired after the 2018 season.
The Bucs currently have one of the top defenses in the league.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
Smith, 38, has helped turn the Titans around with a power rushing attack, featuring running back Derrick Henry. He’s helped salvage the career of quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who’s had success throwing off the play-action fakes to Henry.
Staley, 38, is his first season managing the Rams’ defense. He was previously the linebackers coach for the Bears and Broncos.
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
The Falcons interviewed interim head coach Raheem Morris on Friday.
The Falcons have interviewed former Houston general manager Rick Smith and Atlanta’s director of college scouting Anthony Robinson for the vacant general manager position.
The Falcons are going to request permission to interview Saints vice president/assistant GM of pro personnel Terry Fontenot and Rams director of college scouting Brad Holmes, as previously reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Also, the teams is expected to seek permission to interview Colts director of college scouting Morocco Brown, Bears assistant director of player personnel Champ Kelly, Vikings assistant GM George Paton and Bills assistant GM Joe Schoen, according to NFL media.
Miami executive Reggie McKenzie is one of the top general manager candidates. He was a finalist for position when the Falcons hired Dimitroff in 2008. The Ron Wolf/Ted Thompson disciple with the Green Bay Packers, went on to lead the Raiders as general manager and was named executive of the year in 2016 after drafting stars Khalil Mack, Amari Cooper and Derek Carr.
Falcons’ 2021 draft position
(Heading into Week 17 Games)
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
2. New York Jets
3. Miami Dolphins (via Houston)
4. Falcons
5. Cincinnati Bengals
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