BREAKING: Falcons Fire Coach Arthur Smith After 3 Seasons
The Atlanta Falcons are moving on from coach Arthur Smith.
According to ESPN, the Falcons fired Smith on Sunday night, just hours after a 48-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints inside Caesars Superdome.
Atlanta finished 7-10 and failed to make the postseason in each of Smith's three seasons at the helm while losing four of its last five games this year.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith shouts along the sidelines against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Smith, who was hired in Jan. 2021 after two years as the Tennessee Titans' offensive coordinator, doubled as the Falcons' play-caller and oversaw a unit that failed to eclipse the 30-point margin all season.
The Falcons released an official statement following the news.
"The search for a new head coach of the Falcons will begin immediately," per release. "It will be led by (Falcons owner Arthur) Blank and (CEO Rich) McKay, with input from Falcons General Manager Terry Fontenot, and several other appropriate members of Blank's Atlanta Falcons and AMB Sports and Entertainment organizations.
"There is no timeline for filling the role."
Fontenot, who was hired the same offseason as Smith, has officially been retained.
Blank declined to speak with reporters after the loss Sunday but issued his own statement in the aftermath of the news.
"Decisions like this are never easy and they never feel good," Blank said. "We have profound respect for Coach Smith and appreciate all the hard work and dedication he has put into the Falcons over the last three years. He has been part of building a good culture in our football team, but the results on the field have not met our expectations.
"After significant thought and reflection, we have determined the best way forward for our team is new leadership in the head coaching position."
Atlanta will hold a press conference Monday at 4 p.m. EST for further comments.
