ATLANTA (AP) — Arthur Smith has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, the team announced Sunday. The decision was made after a meeting between Falcons Owner and Chairman, Arthur M. Blank, and CEO, Rich McKay, in Atlanta. The Falcons’ 2023 season ended earlier in the day with a defeat against the New Orleans Saints.
Smith took over as Atlanta’s head coach on January 15, 2021, guiding the team for three seasons. However, the Falcons recorded a 7-10 finish in each of those seasons, culminating in an overall record of 21-30 under his leadership.
In a statement, Blank expressed gratitude for Smith’s hard work and dedication, acknowledging the positive culture he helped build within the team. Nevertheless, the team’s on-field performance fell short of expectations, leading to the difficult decision to seek new leadership in the head coaching position.
The search for a new head coach will commence immediately and will be headed by Blank and McKay. Falcons General Manager Terry Fontenot and other key members of the organization will also contribute to the search. However, no specific timeline has been set for the appointment.
Blank and McKay have scheduled a press conference for Monday at 4 p.m. to address the media.
Key Points:
– Arthur Smith has been dismissed as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons following a meeting with team owner Arthur M. Blank and CEO Rich McKay.
– Smith’s tenure saw the Falcons finish with a 7-10 record in each of his three seasons, resulting in an overall record of 21-30.
– Blank acknowledged Smith’s contributions to building a positive culture but pointed out that the team’s on-field results did not meet expectations.
– The search for a new head coach will begin immediately, with Blank, McKay, Fontenot, and other team members involved in the process.
– A press conference with Blank and McKay is scheduled for Monday at 4 p.m. to provide further details.
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