Falcons Head Coaching Search Recap: Who's Atlanta Met With & Who's Next?
The Atlanta Falcons fired head coach Arthur Smith following a 48-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Jan. 7 - and have wasted little time delivering an extensive search in the near-two weeks that have followed.
Atlanta's first reported wave of interview requests came Jan. 11 and first official interview came Jan. 12, with Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald getting things started.
The Falcons then interviewed Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks on Jan. 13.
The day after, Atlanta met with Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and Ravens defensive line coach and associate head coach Anthony Weaver.
Thus, through the opening weekend of their coaching search, the Falcons' candidate pool had largely looked the part of a normal group - four coordinators and a respected assistant.
Atlanta took a big step Jan. 15, announcing it interviewed former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Falcons owner Arthur Blank met with Belichick one-on-one, the first known in-person meeting of the cycle.
The following night, Atlanta announced it met with University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, who previously went 44-19-1 with the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014. It was also an in-person interview.
Jan 9, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh during College Football National Championship press conference at JW Marriot Houston by the Galleria.
Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons interviewed Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn on Jan. 18 and 19, respectively. They also met with Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson on Jan. 18.
Atlanta held another meeting with Belichick on Jan. 19, the first time it's interviewed a candidate twice. This time, Blank was joined by Falcons CEO Rich McKay and general manager Terry Fontenot.
Like with Belichick, the Falcons have scheduled a second interview with Harbaugh for next week.
They're also slated to speak with recently fired Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel on Jan. 24, meaning the coaching search will extend for several more days.
The Falcons will meet with Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik on Sunday, one of three interviews for him following the conclusion of his AFC Divisional round appearance Saturday.
Still, Atlanta has work to do.
The Falcons have requested interviews with multiple candidates who've yet to meet with the team, including Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.
Atlanta previously requested to meet with Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce, but he was formally hired by the Raiders on Jan. 19.
The Falcons haven't yet satisfied the NFL's "Rooney rule," which requires teams to hold in-person interviews with at least two minority candidates. Virtual interviews don't meet the requirements.
None of Atlanta's meetings with minority coaches - Wilks, Evero, Weaver, Glenn and Johnson - were reportedly in person, meaning plenty of work remains.
The Falcons have no timetable to announce a decision on Smith's replacement.
