Atlanta, Georgia – The Atlanta Falcons are set to hire their second head coach since drafting defensive lineman Grady Jarrett in 2015. Jarrett, however, does not anticipate having much input in the decision-making process, as he believes these choices are typically made without player involvement. Speaking on the matter, Jarrett said, “Those decisions are made in rooms that most of the time players aren’t in, so I don’t know how much input I would have or another player would have.”
Team owner Arthur Blank and CEO Rich McKay have stated that they will take their time in selecting a successor to former head coach Arthur Smith, who was fired after the Falcons’ regular-season finale. Both Blank and McKay emphasized that the decision will ultimately be made by Blank but will take into account input from others. Blank added, “We have begun the process. It doesn’t take long to get going, but I want to be clear on this — there is no timetable.”
The Falcons’ decision to fire Smith was spurred by their belief that they have the necessary resources and flexibility to be competitive in the upcoming season. McKay explained, “We intend to win and compete at the highest levels in 2024. One of the reasons we made this move is that reason and one of the reasons we believe we can do that is the work of Arthur and (general manager Terry Fontenot) and his staff.” Fontenot, who was hired in the same season as Smith, will retain his position, and the Falcons do not plan on diminishing his responsibilities unless the next head coach seeks personnel control.
While the search for a new coach is underway, Blank confirmed that Fontenot will be heavily involved in the process. However, Fontenot did not attend the news conference due to his commitment to helping the coaching staff with the transition. Blank and McKay defended their hiring record, highlighting the successes of previous coaches Mike Smith and Dan Quinn. Despite this, the team understands that they underachieved this year and are eager to make the necessary changes to improve their performance.
Potential candidates for the head coaching position include Bill Belichick, the head coach of the New England Patriots, Eric Bieniemy, the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, and Brian Callahan, the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals, among others. The Falcons plan to announce their formal interviews publicly after each has concluded.
As players reflect on Smith’s departure, many express their respect and appreciation for him as a coach. Cornerback Tre Flowers stated, “I know he’ll bounce back. Winning fixes everything, and the way we dropped the last couple, it doesn’t surprise me, but since he’s such a good coach, I thought he was going to get another shot. I believe in him wholeheartedly.”
Overall, the Falcons are determined to make a strong comeback in the upcoming season. They acknowledge their past shortcomings and are eager to build a team that can consistently compete and play for championships. With Blank at the helm, the Falcons are focused on selecting a head coach who can lead them to success.