The Falcons hired longtime NFL defensive backs coach Joe Whitt Jr., as their secondary coach, the team announced Thursday.
“He has a history of coaching defensive backs that play with an aggressive attitude with a focus on takeaways,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said.
The Falcons were a minus-5 in the takeaway ratio last season, which ranked 24 of 32 teams. The secondary had 12 interceptions, which tied for 17th in the league.
Whitt, who spent 10 years with the Packers (2008-18), was a member of the Falcons’ coaching staff in 2007.
He was with the Browns during the 2019 season as the defensive backs coach and passing-game coordinator.
The Falcons released Jerome Henderson, who was the defensive passing-game coordinator, and Travis Jones, who was the assistant defensive line coach last week.
The team said Henderson and Jones are leaving "to pursue new career opportunities."
Whitt coached Pro Bowl defensive backs Charles Woodson, Tramon Williams and Sam Shields with the Packers.
He’s coached under Mike McCarthy, Dom Capers, Mike Pettine, Steve Wilks and Freddie Kitchens.
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