Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith (Mike Christy/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Falcons have decided to fire head coach Arthur Smith after a three-season stint marked by the absence of playoff appearances and a lack of winning records.
Decision-Making Process
The decision was made following a meeting between Smith, Falcons owner Arthur Blank, and CEO Rich McKay on Sunday night. This conclusion followed a disappointing 48-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints, solidifying a 7-10 season. Despite the outside chance to clinch the NFC South with a victory, the Falcons struggled and the Saints outscored them 31-0 after halftime.
Smith concludes his three-season tenure with a record of 21-30 with the team.
Blank’s Statement and Rationale
“Decisions like this are never easy and they never feel good,” Blank said in a statement. “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.”
Initiation of Coach Search
The Falcons have promptly initiated a search for a new coach, led by Blank and McKay, with input from general manager Terry Fontenot.
Low Point: Falcons vs. Saints Game
Sunday’s game against the Saints marked a low point for Smith; although Atlanta scored touchdowns on its first two series, they could only manage three points for the remainder of the game. The Saints outscored them 41-3 in a must-win situation.
After the game, Smith left the field visibly upset and engaged in a heated exchange with Saints counterpart Dennis Allen, deviating from what supposed to be a postgame handshake.
Smith’s frustration stemmed from New Orleans scoring on a late 1-yard run when the game was effectively over. Allen later apologized, clarifying that the decision to score came from players, not coaches.
**Smith’s Postgame Interview**
In a postgame interview, reporters questioned Smith about his status with the team and his case for continuing.
“With any job, you got a lot of confidence,” he said. “I’m not going to give a state of the union right now of everything that’s happened the last three years. The season just ended. Obviously wasn’t the result we needed today and clearly the second half got out of hand. Credit to New Orleans.”
Offensive Struggles under Smith
Hired as an offensive-minded coach in January 2021, Smith faced challenges with inconsistent quarterback play and an offense that struggled to thrive despite acquiring young offensive talents. The offense never ranked higher than 26th in scoring and failed to average more than 22 points in a season.
Impact on Quarterback Position
The departure of Smith raises questions about handling the quarterback position for the Falcons’ future coach, with Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke under contract for 2024, and Logan Woodside as a restricted free agent. The Falcons, holding the eighth pick in April’s NFL draft, face crucial decisions in their ongoing search for a new head coach.
Defensive Changes under Smith
Smith experienced changes in the defensive coordinator position, working with Dean Pees and Ryan Nielsen, the latter of whom played a pivotal role in turning Atlanta’s defense into a formidable unit this season.
Future Coaching Search
Blank and Fontenot now embark on a coaching search to rejuvenate a franchise that has not achieved a winning record or playoff appearance since the 2017 season. This hire will mark the seventh full-time coach under Blank’s ownership since 2002.
This report used information from ESPN.
