The Atlanta Falcons are casting a wide net in their search for a new head honcho, having interviewed a who's who of football coaching talent. In less than two weeks since they gave Arthur Smith the boot, the team brass, including owner Arthur Blank and CEO Rich McKay, assisted by GM Terry Fontenot, have sat down with 13 candidates.
Rumors flew around like confetti when word got out that the Falcons might be courting the likes of Bill Belichick, who is without a doubt one of the NFL's coaching legends, and Jim Harbaugh, the wily Michigan Wolverines head coach. Despite these high-profile names, Atlanta remains in full-on interview mode, requesting second interviews with the likes of Mike Macdonald, Baltimore Ravens' defensive coordinator and Ravens' defensive line coach Anthony Weaver, Atlanta News First reported.
Meanwhile, candidates from all corners of the league have been pulled in for interviews, according to The Falcon Wire. This includes Houston Texans Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik, Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Coordinator Brian Johnson, and Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn, among others. Notably, Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Coordinator Brian Callahan is seemingly out of the race, he's in the process of being scooped up by the Tennessee Titans as their head coach.
In the swirling carousel of potential head coaches, it stands out that Atlanta seems unwilling to put all its eggs in one basket, despite the high-profile options on the table. The team keeps the guessing game alive by talking to lesser-known but equally capable contenders like Detroit Lions Offensive Coordinator Ben Johnson and Buffalo Bills Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady. This exhaustive search demonstrates the team's commitment to turn the page and start with a fresh game plan after three consecutive 7-10 losing seasons under the leadership of Arthur Smith.
