Force coach Plank joins Falcons

The AJC reports that Georgia Force head coach Doug Plank will join the Falcons as an assistant coach. Falcons owner Arthur Blank also owns the Force, an Arena League team.

The AJC cites teams spokesman Reggie Roberts as indicating Plan will serve as a coaching assistant and work on special projects for the team. The paper also indicates Plank may work with the team's safeties as well, although Emmitt Thomas and Alvin Reynolds currently fill the capacity as secondary coaches.

Plank compiled a 47-25 record in four seasons as the head coach of the Force, making the playoffs in all four years. He earned AFL Coach of the Year honors in 2005 and 2007. Prior to joining the Force, he was the defensive coordinator to the Arizona Rattlers for three seasons. Prior to that he worked as an analyst on television and radio for seven years. Plank was a top player at Ohio State before he entered in hte NFL in 1975 as a twelfth round pick for the Chicago Bears. He played safety for the Bears from 1975-82, appearing in 101 games, starting 83 of them, and recording 15 interceptions and 14 fumble recoveries. His number 46 was the inspiration for the name of the famous Buddy Ryan defense in Chicago.

Brooking will be a radio man

Not surprisingly, the AJC reports that linebacker Keith Brooking will be a recipient of one of the radio headsets inside helmets, which have been newly implemented this season to allow defensive coaches to radio in calls and signals to defensive players. Previously, this technology had been used offensively with quarterbacks, but the league has decided to do the same for defense.

Teams will have two devices due to defensive substitutions, but only one player will be allowed to use it at a time. Brooking will be the primary person. No word on who the alternative option would be when Brooking is out of the game.

Pires and White Shoes complete coaching staff

New Falcons head coach Mike Smith's coaching staff was completed today when the team announced they had hired a new linebackers coach in Glenn Pires and also opted to retain Billy "White Shoes" Johnson as an assistant strength and conditioning coach.

Pires served as an assistant with the Miami Dolphins for the past five seasons, working as an assistant linebackers (2007), defensive quality control (2005-06), and assistant defensive line (2003-04) coach in his time there. Prior to joining the Dolphins, Pires spent two seasons as linebackers coach for the Detroit Lions and five years in the same role with the Arizona Cardinals. His first coaching stint was as a graduate assistant with Syracuse in 1983. He worked as defensive line and linebackers coach at Dartmouth (1985-88) afterwards before going back to Syracuse in 1989 in charge of the defensive line. He also worked with the team's outside linebackers before moving on to Michigan State (1995) for one season before joining the pro ranks with the Cardinals in 1996.

Johnson will join Bill Hughan as an assistant to new strength coach Jeff Fish. Johnson first joined the Falcons organization in 1994 in charge of player programs and development before moving into the coaching ranks in 2006 as an assistant strength coach. Fish will mark the third different strength coach that Johnson has worked under, starting with Sal Alosi in 2006 and followed by Evan Marcus last year. Johnson had an extensive playing career (1974-88) as a wide receiver and returner, including six years with the Falcons (1982-87). He currently ranks second all-time for the Falcons in punt return yards (1,251) and sixteenth in receiving yards (2,062).

Chavis opts to remain with Vols

WBIR of Knoxville reports that Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis will not be joining the Falcons as an assistant coach. Chavis interviewed this past weekend for the vacant linebackers coach position, but has decided to stay on at Tennessee.

Chavis has served in his current capacity since 1995, originally joining the University of Tennessee, his alma mater, in 1989 as defensive line and linebackers coach. Chavis has no previous pro coaching experience, having served in the college ranks since 1979.

Linebackers coach remains the only key spot on Mike Smith's new coaching staff yet to be filled. Last year, Brian VanGorder served in that capacity, but has since been promoted to defensive coordinator. Chavis worked with current Falcons defensive line coach Ray Hamilton while with the Vols in 1992.

Reynolds named DB coach

Today the Falcons announced the hiring of Alvin Reynolds as the team's new defensive backs coach. He will work with assistant head coach Emmitt Thomas who will also have responsibilities in the secondary this year as he did a year ago. Reynolds had spent 5 years with new head coach Mike Smith in Jacksonville, coaching their defensive backs. With the hiring of Reynolds, the only major void remaining on Smith's coaching staff is who will be in charge of linebackers.

Reynolds joined Jacksonville after four seasons as a defensive assistant with the Carolina Panthers. Previously he worked as the secondary coach with the Baltimore Ravens (1996-98), and was a defensive assistant with the Denver Broncos (1993-95) as well. His prior experience came on the collegiate level, working as an assistant at Indiana State for 11 seasons. He joined them as a graduate assistant in 1982, and was promoted to coach the secondary in 1983. He added the title of assistant head coach in 1990. Reynolds played strong safety at Indiana State (1978-81) and received two Heisman votes as a senior.

Falcons hire Danna

The team announced the hiring of former James Madison assistant coach Joe Danna as the team's new defensive quality control coach.

Danna served one season at JMU as defensive backs coach this past year. Prior to that he worked in the same capacity for one year at Georgia Southern where he worked with current Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder. From 2002-05 he was an assistant at Central Michigan. In 2002 and 2005, he was receivers coach and assistant special teams coach. In 2003 and 2004, he worked with safeties and continued assisting on special teams. Prior to that, in 2001 he was a graduate assistant at the University of Georgia, another year where he worked under Van Gorder. He also worked with defensive backs. He served in the same capacity as graduate assistant working with defensive backs in 2000 at Central Michigan. Danna played wide receiver at CMU between 1995 and 1998.

Emmitt Thomas inducted into Hall of Fame

The league announced six new inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame including Falcons assistant head coach Emmitt Thomas. Thomas has been an assistant coach in the NFL for the past 27 years, but it was his 13-year playing career as a defensive back with the Kansas City Chiefs that got him this illustrious honor. Also being inducted were cornerback Darrell Green, wide receiver Art Monk, linebacker Andre Tippett, defensive end Fred Dean, and offensive tackle Gary Zimmerman.

Thomas, 64, career with the Chiefs began in 1966. Over the course of his career, Thomas appeared in 181 games, was selected to five Pro Bowls, and appeared in two Super Bowls. His 58 career interceptions currently rank 9th all-time in league history, and he led the league twice in that category (1969, 1974). He has 937 career interception return yards and 5 touchdowns. Thomas was inducted in the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame in 1986.

Recently Thomas was retained by new head coach Mike Smith as assistant head coach. He served as the team's interim head coach for the final three games of this past season following the resignation of Bobby Petrino.

Falcons hire Boudreau to helm OL

The Falcons today announced the hiring of another assistant coach, this time adding Paul Boudreau as the new offensive line coach. Boudreau will work with Paul Dunn, who was hired yesterday to help improve the Falcons line.

Boudreau was dismissed by the St. Louis Rams this past month, having served two seasons as offensive line coach. He joined the Rams after a three-year stint in Jacksonville, where he worked with new head coach Mike Smith. Prior to working with the Jaguars, he headed the offensive line for the Carolina Panthers (2001-02), Miami Dolphins (1999-00), New England Patriots (1997-98), Detroit Lions (1994-96), New Orleans Saints (1987-93), and Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL (1983-86). Prior to that he worked nine year as an assistant on the collegiate level, coaching at Boston College (1974-75), Maine (1976-78), Dartmouth (1979-81), and Navy (1983).

During his 21 years as an NFL assistant, he has helped guide six different blockers to a total of 9 Pro Bowl seasons, including Lomas Brown and Kevin Glover with the Lions, Brad Edelman and Joel Hilgenberg with the Saints, Bruce Armstrong with the Patriots, and Tim Ruddy with the Dolphins. Three times during that span, quarterbacks playing behind his lines have been the least sacked quarterbacks in the league: Dan Marino (1999), Bobby Hebert (1992), and Steve Walsh (1991).

Two more assistants added to coaching staff

The team announced the hiring of Chris Scelfo and Paul Dunn today. Scelfo will coach tight ends while Dunn will be the assistant offensive line coach. For both men, this will be their first ventures in the NFL as coaches. The team has yet to name the offensive line coach who will be working with Dunn. That along with who will be in charge of linebackers represent the two major vacancies still remaining on head coach Mike Smith's staff. The team may also seek to hire an additional secondary coach, since it has to be determined if assistant head coach Emmitt Thomas will retain those duties.

Scelfo most recently was head coach at Tulane, where he led the Green Wave for eight seasons, where they compiled a 37-57 record. He led them to victories in both their bowl appearances. Prior to his time at Tulane, he was the assistant head coach and offensive line coach at George from 1996 to 1998. Before that he was an assistant at Marshall (1990-95). He originally served as offensive line coach at Marshall, but added offensive coordinator duties in 1993. He was a graduate assistant at Oklahoma for two years (1988-89) working with wide receivers and the offensive line. His first coaching gig came in 1986 at Northeastern Louisiana as a graduate assistant. He worked with the offensive line and tight ends for two seasons.

Dunn this past January was fired after three season as the offensive line coach at the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to that, he worked as run game coordinator and offensive line coach at Kentucky for two years (2003-04). He also served in those same duties at Kansas State (1998-02). Before that he worked as an offensive line coach at several programs, including Vanderbilt (1996-97), Cincinnati (1994-95), Maine (1990-93), Rutgers (1989), and Edinboro University (1986-88). Before that he served as a graduate assistant at Penn State (1984-85) and Pittsburgh (1983).

Falcons add more assistants

The Falcons added a few more names to their coaching staff, announcing today the hiring of three more assistant coaches. Joining new head coach Mike Smith's staff will be special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong, strength and conditioning coach Jeff Fish, and his assistant will be Bill Hughan. The team also announced that Tom McMahon would stay on staff as assistant special teams coach and formally announced that Bill Musgrave has been retained as quarterbacks coach.

Armstrong rejoins the Falcons, having served as safeties (1994-95) and secondary coach (1996) before. He left the Falcons to become special teams coach of the Bears in 1997. He joined the Dolphins coaching staff in the same capacity in 2001 and has been there ever since, where he gained experience working with new offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey the past two seasons. Prior to his stint in Atlanta, Armstrong worked at six different collegiate schools over a seven-year period, including Notre Dame (1993) as linebackers coach, Oklahoma State (1990-92) as secondary coach, Akron (1989) as receivers coach, University of Miami (FL) (1988) as defensive backs and special teams coach, and at Temple (1987) his alma mater as a graduate assistant.

Fish is the fourth strength and conditioning coach for the Falcons in four years. He joins the team from the Oakland Raiders where spent the past four seasons in charge of their strength and conditioning department. Prior to that, he spent two seasons (2001-02) working at the University of Missouri in the same capacity. His previous NFL experience came working with the Kansas Chiefs for three years, first as an intern in 1998, and then becoming their assistant strength and conditioning coach in 1999. In 1997, he was an intern in the strength and conditioning department of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Prior to that he was strength and conditioning coach at Tulsa (1995-96) and Kent State (1993-94), and the assistant at Clemson (1991-92) and Western Michigan (1989). Fish played wide receiver at Western Carolina where he graduated in 1988.

Hughan has worked with Fish on each of his last two coaching stops, as an assistant with both the Raiders (2004-07) and at Missouri (2001-03). Prior to that he was a graduate assistant at Columbia (1999-00) and Yale (1997-98).

McMahon will enter his second year with the Falcons in his current capacity, having joined the team a year ago from Louisville.

Musgrave enters his third year with the team in his current capacity. Musgrave worked with Smith in 2003 and 2004 when he coordinated the Jacksonville Jaguars offense.

Falcons add three more assistants

On Saturday, the Falcons named three more assistants to new head coach Mike Smith's coaching staff. The team added Ray Hamilton as defensive line coach, Gerald Brown as running backs coach, and Glenn Thomas in offensive quality control.

Hamilton has extensive experience coaching some of the best and brightest defensive lineman over the years. He most recently finished his fifth season as the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive line coach. He finished a nine-year playing career with the New England Patriots in 1981. During his career, he started 117 games at nose tackle and finished his career with 54 sacks. He got into coaching as an assistant defensive line coach with the Patriots in 1985. He also coached defensive lines for Tampa Bay (1991), University of Tennessee (1992), Los Angeles Raiders (1993-94), New York Jets (1995-96, 2000), New England (1997-99), and Cleveland (2001-02). Under him, he has produced a total of six Pro Bowl seasons between three different players: John Henderson, Marcus Stroud, and Chester McGlockton. He has also had a hand in the development of top linemen such as current Falcon John Abraham, Hugh Douglas, Shaun Ellis, Willie McGinest, and Eric Swann. And has coached some of the greats including Howie Long, Greg Townsend, and Dexter Manley.

Brown comes to the Falcons from Indiana Univesity, where this past season he was promoted to assistant head coach, adding to his duties as running backs coach and special teams coordinator. He has been at Indiana since 2002. His sole foray into professional coaching came in 2001, where he was the running backs coach for the Memphis Maniax of the XFL. Prior to that he worked ten years at Tennessee Tech (1989-98) and six years at Tennessee (1983-88). While at Tennessee Tech, he worked with new Falcons head coach Mike Smith, and was in charge of quarterbacks, wide receivers, and special teams at various times during that stint.

Thomas got his start in coaching in 2001 as the receivers coach for Midwestern State, a Division II school. He was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2004. In 2006, Midwestern State had the top-ranked offense in Division II, compiling 470 yards per game and placing second with 40 points per game.

Falcons hire Robiskie

On the cuffs of naming Mike Mularkey their offensive coordinator, the Falcons have made one more addition to the coaching staff in hiring Terry Robiskie as wide receivers coach. Robiskie has over twenty years of experience as an NFL coach, and served as an interim head coach twice in his career, coaching a total of eight games with the Washington Redskins and Cleveland Browns. He has compiled a 2-6 record in an interim role.

Robiskie's most recent work came as a receivers coach with the Miami Dolphins this past year, where he worked with Mularkey. Prior to that he was with the Cleveland Browns. He worked as the Browns receivers coach from 2001-03 and 2005-06. He also was their offensive coordinator in 2004, and finished the final five games of that season as interim head coach, taking over for Butch Davis. Prior to his stint in Cleveland, he was the passing game coordinator for the Washington Redskins for 2 years, during which he worked three game as their interim head coach, taking over for Norv Turner in 2000. Prior to that he worked 16 years as an assistant with the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders. He began in 1982 as an assistant special teams coach, before moving on to assistant running backs in 1985, followed by tight ends coach in 1988, offensive coordinator in 1989, and finally wide receivers coach in 1994.

Robiskie began coaching after a five year playing career at running back. He spent three years with the Oakland Raiders (1977-79) and two with the Miami Dolphins (1980-81), where he also played fullback. He finished his career with 553 rushing yards on 159 carries (3.5 avg) and 5 touchdowns. He also caught 23 passes for 147 yards (6.4 avg). He was originally an 8th round pick by the Raiders in 1977 out of LSU.

During Robiskie's career, he has worked with a number of quality young receivers including Tim Brown, Michael Westbrook, Braylon Edwards, and Ted Ginn. And now will be tasked with getting even more contributions out of Michael Jenkins, Roddy White, and Laurent Robinson. Both Jenkins and White are coming off years where they had career highs in both receptions and receiving yards. Robinson is also coming off a season where he had the highest number of receptions and receiving yards for a rookie since Bert Emanuel in 1994.

Mularkey expected to take Falcons job

By reason of deduction due to the expectation that former St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Greg Olson will take the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterbacks coach position, it is reasonable to expect that former Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Mike Mularkey will accept the Falcons offensive coordinator spot. It was previously reported that Mularkey was opting between taking that position with the Buccaneers or the one in Atlanta. An announcement could be made today. The Falcons met with Mularkey yesterday.

Thomas and Musgrave remain; Mularkey targeted

During his introductory press conference, new Falcons head coach Mike Smith announced that former interim head man Emmitt Thomas would remain on the Falcons staff as assistant head coach. Thomas was recently blocked from interviewing with the Dallas Cowboys, and is one of a few assistants expected to be retained by Smith. According to the AJC, quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave will also remain in that same capacity. Musgrave worked with Smith in Jacksonville in 2003 and 2004 where he served as offensive coordinator.

Updating previous reports, D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC reports that the Falcons were scheduled to meet with Mike Mularkey today, and announcement could come as early as tomorrow on whether he has accepted their offer to become the team's next offensive coordinator. Ledbetter cited a person within the organization as the source of this information, and that Mularkey is the team's first choice. Mularkey is also being wooed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to accept a quarterbacks coach position there.

VanGorder to return to Falcons

Steve Wyche of the AJC reports that the Falcons are in negotiations for former Falcons linebacker coach Brian VanGorder to return to the team in the role of defensive coordinator. VanGorder had decided to join South Carolina as their defensive coordinator a month ago, shortly after the retirement of head coach Bobby Petrino. But due to the hiring of Mike Smith as Petrino's replacement, VanGorder has opted to return to the NFL.

VanGorder and Smith worked together for two seasons in Jacksonville (2004-05), where VanGorder served under Smith as linebackers coach. VanGorder then moved on to become head coach at Georgia Southern in 2006, before accepting the spot with the Falcons this past year. Prior to his stint in Jacksonville, VanGorder was the defensive coordinator at the University of Georgia for four years.

Mularkey to choose between Falcons and Bucs

Stephen F. Holder of the St. Petersburg Times reports that former Buffalo Bills head coach and Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey is considering taking a position with the Atlanta Falcons as offensive coordinator. It was reported earlier by ESPN on Wednesday that Mularkey would likely be a candidate in Atlanta. According to Holder, Mularkey is expected to choose between the Falcons job or taking the quarterback coach position with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Mularkey's most recent coaching experience came as the Dolphins tight ends coach this past year. In 2006, he served as the team's offensive coordinator. Prior to that he served two seasons as the Buffalo Bills head coach, compiling a 14-18 record. Before that, he was the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers for three seasons. Before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2001, he spent five years as the Steelers tight ends coach. His first gig in the NFL came in 1994 as an assistant on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff before taking over tight ends in 1995. His first coaching job was with Concordia College in 1993.

Mularkey was a 9th round pick out of Florida in 1983, selected by the San Francisco 49ers. He played six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings (1983-88) and three with the Steelers (1989-91). As a tight end, he finished his career with 102 receptions, 1222 yards, and 9 touchdowns.

He is a Florida native, having been born in Fort Lauderdale and playing high school ball in the area. His roots in Florida would likely make the Buccaneers job more attractive, although he'd hold considerably more clout in Atlanta.

Falcons expected to hire Mike Smith

ESPN reports that leagues sources have indicated that the Falcons have chosen Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith as the person to become the sixteenth coach in franchise history. Previous reports indicated that the Falcons may have have been willing to wait until after the Super Bowl to make this decision. Smith was considered one of the four finalists for the position as well.

ESPN indicates that the Falcons had narrowed down their choices even further, with Smith coming out on top and Leslie Frazier being considered the second best candidate. Per ESPN, Smith "won over the Falcons with his combination of intelligence, communication and organizational skills, and strong knowledge of personnel. Most important, the team believes Smith to be the most professionally compatible with [Falcons GM Thomas] Dimitroff."

According to ESPN, the Falcons opted not to wait another week for fear that Steve Spagnuolo would spurn their advances and the new coach's ability to assemble a staff would be diminished.

The AP reports that the team is currently engaged in contract talks with Smith and that a press conference is possibly set for tomorrow.

UPDATE: The hiring of Smith is now official. The AJC is reporting that Smith is believed to have agreed to a four-year deal worth between $8 and $10 million.

Falcons block Thomas from going to Dallas

Despite several other assistants that have interviewed or already accepted jobs elsewhere, including the most recent ones in Ollie Wilson and Evan Marcus, the Falcons seem poised to keep one assistant coach in Atlanta. Rick Herrin of the Forth Worth Star-Telegram reports that the Falcons have denied the Dallas Cowboys permission to former interim head coach and defensive backs coach Emmitt Thomas from interviewing there. Thomas was named interim head coach following the retirement of Bobby Petrino for the final three games this past season. Thomas first came to Atlanta in 2002, when the team also hired then defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, now the head coach in Dallas. Thomas would likely to be targeted to replace Todd Bowles, who recently joined the Miami Dolphins, as the Cowboys defensive backs coach. It would seem the Falcons are prepared to keep Thomas in Atlanta on new head coach Mike Smith's staff.

Ollie Wilson could join Chargers

SI.com's Jim Trotter reports that the San Diego Chargers are on the verge of hiring Falcons running back coach Ollie Wilson. Wilson has previous ties to the Chargers organization, working as an assistant from 1997 to 2001. He joined the Falcons in 2002, his second stint with the team after serving in the same capacity from 1991 to 1996.

Dimitroff narrows search to four

D. Orlando Ledbetter of the AJC reports that Falcons new general manager Thomas Dimitroff has narrowed down the coaching search to four candidates. Among them is New York Giants defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo who has yet to interview with the team. Any interview involving Spagnuolo will have to wait until after the Giants season concludes after the Super Bowl on February 3. Filling out of the list are three defensive coordinators that interviewed last week: Rex Ryan, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens, Mike Smith of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Leslie Frazier of the Minnesota Vikings. Both Ryan and Smith have interviewed twice for the job, while Frazier sat for his first interview this past Saturday.

Ryan remains hopeful that he receives the Falcons position per the AJC, but in the mean time is considered to be candidates to remain in Baltimore as the defensive coordinator under new coach Jim Harbaugh, and also as a potential candidate to hold the same position in Washington with the Redskins according to NFL.com's Adam Schefter.

In other coaching-related news, the Miami Dolphins announced Tuesday that Falcons strength and conditioning coach Evan Marcus will be joining their staff in the same capacity. Marcus only served one season with the Falcons in the capacity. He is one of several assistants under former head coach Bobby Petrino to successfully find jobs elsewhere.

Frazier with Falcons at Senior Bowl?

Jay Adams of the Macon Telegraph writing on his Pro Schmo Blog reports on rumors that the Falcons have brought Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier with them to Mobile, AL for Senior Bowl practices. Frazier interviewed with the Falcons on Saturday for their head coach position. So far, this seems to be only a rumor since there has apparently been no actual sight of Frazier with Falcons officials, just unconfirmed rumors from various sources.

Falcons will wait for Spagnuolo

ESPN reports that the Falcons are not expected to make a decision about their head coaching position until they get a chance to interview New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Unfortunately, league rules prohibit the Falcons from interviewing Spagnuolo until after the Super Bowl, which the Giants will face off against the New England Patriots on February 3.

The Falcons requested permission from the Giants to interview Spagnuolo two weeks ago, but were denied by the Giants. League rules permit teams to interview coaching candidates during the bye week before the Super Bowl only if it is the second instance of one. If the Falcons have focused completely on Spagnuolo or will interview other candidates in the mean time is unknown. Also unknown, is how much interest Spagnuolo has in the Atlanta Falcons.

Coaching Carousel

The Falcons have been in the process of acquiring a new head coach ever since Bobby Petrino resigned on December 11. They have interviewed and shown interest in a plethora of candidates. Here, we'll detail who the Falcons have looked at in their desire to find a new head coach.

Interviewed:

Jan. 3: Jim Caldwell, Colts Asst. Head Coach/Quarterbacks (bio) (story)
Jan. 4: Jason Garrett, Cowboys Off. Coordinator (bio) (story)
Jan. 4: Tony Sparano, Cowboys Asst. Head Coach/Off. Line (bio) (story)
Jan. 7: Rex Ryan, Ravens Def. Coordinator (bio) (story)
Jan. 9: *Pete Carroll, USC Head Coach (bio) (story)
Jan. 10: Mike Smith, Jaguars Def. Coordinator (bio) (story)
Jan. 11: Jim Schwartz, Titans Def. Coordinator (bio) (story)
Jan. 14: Rex Ryan (story)
Jan. 16: Jason Garrett (story)
Jan. 18: Mike Smith (story)
Jan. 19: Leslie Frazier (bio) (story)

* - Interview reportedly consisted of a cordial phone conversation with Falcons owner Arthur Blank

Interest (confirmed):

Steve Spagnuolo, Giants Def. Coordinator (bio) (story)

Interest (rumored):

Jim Haslett, Rams Def. Coordinator (bio) (story)
Winston Moss, Packers Asst. Head Coach (bio) (story)
Dante Scarnecchia, Patriots Asst. Head Cach/Off. Line (bio) (story)
Marty Schottenheimer, ex-Chargers Head Coach (bio) (story)
Mike Shanahan, Broncos Head Coach (bio) (story)

Withdrawn:

Jim Caldwell (story)
Bill Cowher, ex-Steelers Head Coach (bio) (story)
Jason Garrett (story)
Josh McDaniels, Patriots Off. Coordinator (bio) (story)
Mike Singletary, 49ers Asst. Head Coach/Defense (bio) (story)

Falcons to interview Frazier

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that the Falcons will interview Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier on Saturday. Reportedly Frazier wowed Bill Parcells in his January 7 interview for the Dolphins head coaching position.

Frazier is coming off his first year as the Vikings defensive coordinator, following two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts as a special assistant to head coach Tony Dungy. He also worked with the team's defensive backs. Prior to that he worked as defensive coordinator of the Cincinnati Bengals (2003-04) and defensive backs coach of the Philadelphia Eagles (1999-02). He served as head coach at Trinity College (now known as Trinity International University), NAIA program, for 9 seasons. That was his first coaching job in 1988. He also worked as defensive backs coach at Illinois for two years as well (1997-98) following his days at Trinity. Frazier played six years in the NFL for the Chicago Bears, earning a Super Bowl ring in 1985. In 65 career games, he had 20 interceptions and scored twice on punt returns.

Mortensen also reported that Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith interviewed with the Falcons for a second time on Friday.

Jackson interviews in St. Louis

ESPN reports that Falcons offensive coordinator Hue Jackson has interviewed for the same position with the St. Louis Rams. Jackson is one of two candidates to formally meet with Rams head coach Scott Linehan about the open position. Cincinnati Bengals quarterbacks coach Ken Zampese has also interviewed. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Rams are expected to interview more potential candidates next week.

Jackson was in his first and potentially only year with the Falcons as offensive coordinator. When head coach Bobby Petrino resigned unexpectedly in December, Jackson took over play-calling duties under interim head coach Emmitt Thomas. Earlier this month, the Falcons informed all of their assistants, currently under contract, that they are welcome to seek other positions around the league as they try and resolve their own coaching situation. Earlier this week, Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer took the same position with the Cincinnati Bengals.

In December, Jackson interviewed for the head coaching vacancy at Duke University, but did not get the job.

Garrett to stay with Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett returned to Dallas on Wednesday to mull over his decision whether to accept head coaching positions in Atlanta or Baltimore, and has ultimately chosen to stay in Dallas according to the AJC. Garrett had interviewed for a second time with the Falcons on Wednesday a day after doing the same with the Baltimore Ravens.

According to a Baltimore Sun report which reiterate previous reports, the Falcons look like they will opt to re-open the coaching search instead of settling on candidate Rex Ryan. Ryan is the only other candidate to interview a second time in Atlanta, and along with Garrett and Indianapolis Colts assistant Jim Caldwell was widely considered to be among the Falcons final three choices. But Caldwell removed his name from contention yesterday and will remain in Indianapolis.

There have been no candidates named as likely to interview with the Falcons now. However, the team has previously tried to interview New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, but were denied due to the Giants still remaining active in the playoffs. If the Giants would lose to the Green Bay Packers this weekend, Spagnuolo would become available.

Caldwell pulls name from contention

John Clayton of ESPN reports that Indianapolis Colts assistant coach Jim Caldwell has pulled his name from consideration for the Falcons head coaching position. Earlier today, an internet report on ProFootballTalk.com, indicated that Colts head coach Tony Dungy was prepared to step down and retire, which was prompting Caldwell to succeed him there. Dungy has since denied this report, but Caldwell remains the ideal successor whether Dungy decides to return in 2008 or not.

It has been previously reported that the Falcons had narrowed down their coaching list to three potential candidates: Jason Garrett, Rex Ryan, and Caldwell. Garrett is currently mulling over a decision whether to accept the Falcons or Baltimore Ravens head coaching positions, or to remain in Dallas for at least another year as their offensive coordinator, and is slated to return to Dallas this evening to convene with owner Jerry Jones before making a decision. Garrett interviewed with the Falcons for the second time this morning.

UPDATE: The Baltimore Sun is now reporting that according to a league source, Jason Garrett has narrowed down his choices to choosing between remaining with the Dallas Cowboys or taking the head coaching position with the Baltimore Ravens. According to the report, the Falcons are no longer in the running despite reportedly offering him the job. According to the Sun's report, Garrett could make his decision as early as Thursday.

An ESPN report from Wednesday however makes no mention that the Falcons are no longer an option. However, Adam Schefter reports that the Falcons are likely the third option for Garrett. Schefter indicates that Rex Ryan would again become the favorite to land the job, but the Falcons might re-open their coaching search instead of hiring Ryan.

Garrett undecided about Ravens job

Jamison Hensley of the Baltimore Sun reports that Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett left Baltimore Tuesday afternoon without accepting an offer to become the Ravens next head coach. He is expected next to travel to Atlanta where he will be granted a second interview. No word on whether the Falcons plan to offer Garrett the job. It is reported that Rex Ryan is now the front-runner in Atlanta, who according to Hensley interviewed with the Falcons for a second time on Monday morning.

John Clayton of ESPN reported on tonight's SportsCenter that the Falcons have narrowed down their list of head coaching candidates to three people. Ryan is at the top, with Garrett and Indianapolis Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell filling out the list. Per Clayton, Garrett is expected to make a decision soon on whether to accept the Ravens offer or to remain with the Cowboys. Caldwell is expected to stay in Indianapolis, where he is widely considered the heir apparent to replace head coach Tony Dungy should he choose to retire.

UPDATE: Adam Schefter of NFL.com reports that the Falcons have offered Jason Garrett their head coaching position, and indicates that the Falcons are offering more money than the Ravens in their previous offer. Per Schefter, Garrett will spend Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning meeting with Falcons officials.

Schefter also seemingly confirms reports that Garrett, Ryan, and Caldwell are the team's top three choices to take over the job.

Zimmer takes Bengals post

As expected, the Cincinnati Bengals hired Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer to take over the same position on their team. Zimmer will be tasked with improving a Bengals defense that ranked 24th in the league in 2007. Under Zimmer's watch, the Falcons defense fell from 15th ranked in 2006 to 29th ranked this past year.

Garrett granted second interview

Len Pasquarelli of ESPN reports that the Falcons have scheduled a second interview with Jason Garrett for tomorrow. Garrett interviewed with the Baltimore Ravens tonight, and may accept a job offer before travelling to Atlanta tomorrow. The Falcons interviewed Garrett for the first time on January 5.

Aaron Wilson of the Carroll County Times as well as the ESPN report indicate that Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan is also a potential finalist for the Falcons head coaching position. Rex's brother Rob, currently the Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator worked as an assistant for the New England Patriots when new Falcons GM Tom Dimitroff first arrived there. It is unknown if Ryan will be granted a second interview as well. He originally interviewed last Monday.

UPDATE: Updating the previous report, Pasquarelli writes that Rex Ryan was en route to Atlanta on Monday night to conduct a second interview with the team as well.

Heckert still considered favorite

Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Daily News reports that Eagles GM Tom Heckert remains the favorite to land the Falcons GM job according to league sources. Heckert could be named the team's new GM as soon as this weekend. The Falcons are reportedly in talks with USC head coach Pete Carroll about the possibility of him joining the team in potentially both capacities as coach and GM. But even those reports suggest that something is expected to happen soon.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank has indicated that whomever the team hires as GM will have the power to choose to the team's next head coach, despite the fact that the team has conducted six separate interviews of prospective coaching candidates in the past week, including one today with Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

Heckert is among five candidates that have formally interviewed for the Falcons GM position, although one in Chris Mara, withdrew his name from consideration this past week.

Domowitch reports that if Heckert is hired as GM, the favorite for being his choice of head coach is New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. The Falcons requested permission to interview Spagnuolo, but were denied by the Giants due to their upcoming playoff game this weekend. It was reported that if the Giants were to lose, it was likely that Spagnuolo would be made available to interview.

Domowitch also reports that if Spagnuolo is hired, current Philadelphia Eagles QB coach Pat Shurmur would be a probable choice as the Falcons new offensive coordinator.

ProFootballTalk.com also reports that Patriots college scouting director Tom Dimitroff is also a front-runner as far as Falcons GM candidates go.

Carroll might still be interested?

While past sources indicated that the chances of Pete Carroll becoming the Falcons next head coach was a high unlikelihood, ESPN continues to report that the door has not completely closed on the idea. ESPN's Len Pasquarelli reports that the Falcons and Carroll remain in contact despite the notion that he is leaning towards remaining at the University of Southern California.

According to Pasquarelli's report, the Falcons are wishing to meet with Carroll sometime this weekend. Carroll is currently on vacation in Hawaii, and is not expected to return to the mainland until Monday when USC begins their spring semester according to a report. Carroll spoke to Falcons owner Arthur Blank on Wednesday in what has been described as a "cordial" conversation and seems to be in the process of still mulling over whether he wants to make a return to the NFL.

A likely cause of him making such a decision will be determined by how much power Blank is willing to grant him within the organization. It's been no secret that Carroll has sought complete control over personnel within an organization as the only thing that might tempt him back to the pros. According to reports, Blank close to granting such a concession to Carroll. Such a move would presumably end the simultaneous search for a general manager and head coach.

Pasquarelli also reports that the team will interview prospective head coach Jim Schwartz today as well. Despite the team's interest in Carroll, it is not expected that their coaching and GM search will slow down.

Zimmer front-runner in Cincinnati

Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com reports that current Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer is perceived as the leading candidate to take over as the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator position. Zimmer interviewed for the job last Friday. He was also informed by Falcons owner Arthur Blank last week that he would not be considered a candidate to be named the team's next head coach.

Zimmer would potentially replace Chuck Bresnahan who was fired by the Bengals. Other candidates for the job include Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan and Carolina Panthers defensive backs coachTim Lewis. But both aren't considered prime candidates. Ryan is currently interviewing around the league for open head coaching positions, including interviewing with the Falcons this past Monday, but also remains under contract with the Ravens, which likely will mean they will be reluctant to allow him to a make a lateral move to a division rival. In Lewis's case, the Panthers have not granted permission to the Bengals to interview him. This leaves Zimmer is the likely front-runner since he's the only one to interview. The Bengals are also considering internal candidates to replace Bresnahan including defensive backs Kevin Coyle, and consultant Donnie Henderson who has served as the defensive coordinator for the New York Jets and Detroit Lions in the past.

Zimmer's status with the Falcons remains unclear. He is still under contract, but the Falcons granted him and their other assistants permission to seek jobs elsewhere. He may or may not be retained by the new head coach, so it makes sense for him to seek employment now with his status up in the air.

Carroll interested in Falcons

ESPN reports that sources told ESPN college football analyst Joe Schad that the interest between the Falcons and Pete Carroll is mutual. Carroll is expected to speak with Falcons owner Arthur Blank on Wednesday via telephone. Carroll is currently vacationing in Hawaii. Blank is expected to offer Carroll full control of personnel decisions, which could ultimately end both their searches for a new head coach and general manager.

Carroll has shown previous interest in other NFL jobs in Arizona, Houston, Miami, San Diego, and San Francisco.

UPDATE: Adam Schefter of NFL.com reports that Carroll is unlikely to be interested in the Falcons head coaching job, according to a source close to him. The source indicates that Carroll looked at the position a year ago, and wasn't interested then, and it's unlikely that anything has changed in a year's time to modify his interest.

Schefter also reports that the Falcons are potentially close to hiring a general manager, and currently Tom Heckert and John Schneider are atop their wish list. The team interviewed Heckert this past Monday, and interviewed Schneider a week ago.

Falcons to interview Mike Smith

Michael C. Wright of the Florida Times-Union reports that the Falcons will interview Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith later this week.

Smith, 48, joined the Jaguars in 2003 as their defensive coordinator. Prior to that stint, he was a defensive line coach for the Baltimore Ravens for four seasons. His prior coaching experience all came at the collegiate level where he coached at San Diego State (1982-85), Morehead State (1986), and Tennessee Tech (1987-98). Smith played one season at linebacker with the Winnepeg Blue Bombers of the CFL in 1982.

Not to be confused, the Falcons have already interviewed a candidate for the GM job from Jacksonville, their director of college socuting Gene Smith.

Steve Wyche of the AJC also reports that the Falcons conducted an interview of Patriots director of college scouting Tom Dimitroff this past weekend v