Falcons to Pursue Bill Belichick, Jim Harbaugh for Head Coach Vacancy?
Bill Belichick has won more Super Bowl's than any head coach in NFL history, guiding the New England Patriots to seven titles.
Jim Harbaugh is just days removed from leading the University of Michigan to its first NCAA Championship since 1997.
Both coaches could be on the move this offseason - and the Atlanta Falcons, with no Super Bowl's to their name, appear poised to make a push for each.
According to ESPN, the Falcons, who fired head coach Arthur Smith on Sunday night, are expected to pursue Belichick if the Patriots opt to part ways with him in the coming days.
"I have been told they will have strong interest in Bill Belichick if, as most seem to expect, he and the Patriots part ways," ESPN writes. "I've also been told people close to Belichick believe it would be a good fit for him. It's a strong roster that, yes, needs to figure out the quarterback position.
"It's in a relatively calm market where he could be all about the football. And he'd have a team owner who doesn't meddle in day-to-day affairs."
The Patriots just endured their worst season in Belichick's 24 years at the helm, finishing 4-13 en route to the No. 3 overall pick in April's draft.
Since Tom Brady left New England after the 2019 season, Belichick failed to find a steady long-term answer at quarterback.
Dec 7, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium.
Credit: Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY Sports
Mac Jones, a first-round pick in 2021, seemingly regressed across three years amidst instability on the offensive coaching staff.
This is particularly worrisome for the Falcons, who battled what owner Arthur Blank dubbed "deficient" quarterback play this past season and will need to find a solution this offseason.
Still, Blank and company are intrigued by Belichick - and the early buzz surrounding a potential pairing has only gained momentum.
"Heard some of those Falcons rumblings and didn't quite buy them at first, but there appears to be some traction," ESPN writes.
But the Falcons, who appear to be going big-game hunting, aren't just stopping with Belichick.
Harbaugh, who 44-19-1 as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-2014, hasn't directly interacted with Atlanta ... but is still a possibility to replace Smith.
"I'm also not discounting Atlanta getting involved with Michigan's Jim Harbaugh, though I don't think that has happened to this point," ESPN writes. "This is a quality job with a talented yet underachieving roster.
"It seems tailored for someone such as Belichick or Harbaugh."
ESPN added that many of the top candidates will get a lengthy look from Blank and staff, with general manager Terry Fontenot also having input.
Should Fontenot have a say, two other candidates to watch are Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Buffalo Bills interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
Fontenot worked alongside both Glenn and Brady with the New Orleans Saints, providing an element of past familiarity that didn't exist when Fontenot was paired with Smith in Jan. 2021.
In the NFLPA's recent poll surrounding players grading their coordinators, Glenn earned the highest mark league-wide. He's well-regarded around the league and could get an opportunity soon - and it may just come in Atlanta.
"Glenn is on the cusp as an established coordinator with leadership qualities and experience on the head-coaching interview circuit," ESPN writes. "Two of the past three Falcons coaches were defensive-based, so they aren't afraid to go that route.
"Two of the strongest defensive coordinators -- Dan Quinn (Cowboys) and Raheem Morris (Rams) -- used to coach there, which probably takes them out of the running, but other high-profile defensive coaches will likely be in the mix."
Two other names mentioned by ESPN are Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and recently fired Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel.
ESPN said Macdonald "seems poised to get a head job after his impressive performance this season," while Vrabel "obviously ... would be of interest here as well."
The Falcons haven't yet interviewed any candidates, and Blank and CEO Rich McKay said there's no timetable to make a decision.
Atlanta will cast a wide net on its search, considering candidates with prior head coaching experience and those currently standing as coordinators.
Of Blank's five head coaching hires, only Bobby Petrino arrived with prior experience at any level - and McKay said he still struggles to sleep at night after Petrino left for the University of Arkansas in Dec. 2007 after just 13 games on the sidelines.
Still, the Falcons will look at those with experience - as long as their resume supports it.
“I think there is something to head coaching experience, but it has to be the right head coaching experience,” McKay said. “That is not so easy to find because it’s not been easy for me to find over the years. But, I think if you find one, should you consider it? Absolutely. Why wouldn’t you?
“I’m not going to sit here and say that you shouldn’t have a prior head coach, but I wouldn’t also say that you have to be biased toward it.”
Each of the three past head coaches Atlanta's expected to have interest in - Belichick, Harbaugh and Vrabel - boast winning records to various extents.
So, which avenue will the Falcons go?
It's only a matter of time until the answer is in - but Atlanta certainly seems likely to let Belichick's situation unfold in New England before making any further plans.
