Today is Black Monday in the NFL, and if you aren’t familiar with the term, it’s the day everyone cans their head coach or GM if they’re looking to make a change. The Falcons were the first team to pull the trigger, letting go of Arthur Smith shortly after midnight. Falcons fans and media pundits are already circulating names of potential replacements, and while I have my own opinions, I wanted to list a few names that fans should start to get familiar with. These aren’t ranked in any particular order, although I may do that at some point this offseason.
Falcons Head Coaching Candidates
Bill Belichick — New England Patriots (HC)
This is an insane thing to be typing in 2024. I really wouldn’t be ecstatic if the Falcons hired Belichick. His best days are behind him, and his win percentage is a paltry 44% without Tom Brady. However, as some people will note, he does have eight Super Bowl rings… from days gone.
Jim Harbaugh — Michigan Wolverines (HC)
Harbaugh has a National Championship to play for tonight, but I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t welcome him to Atlanta with open arms. He has been under heavy controversy with the sign stealing scandal at Michigan, but the fact of the matter is Harbaugh is a proven winner in the NFL. He brought the 49ers out of the basement and would instantly bring good coaching to a talented Atlanta roster.
Todd Monken — Baltimore Ravens (OC)
I love Todd Monken. He was the mastermind of two championship winning offenses at my Alma Mater, the University of Georgia. He has been fantastic with the Ravens this year, helping guide them to the 1 seed and overseeing another MVP season from Lamar Jackson. With the weapons that the Falcons have, the sky would be the limit for Monk in Atlanta.
Mike Macdonald — Baltimore Ravens (DC)
Okay, last UGA guy, I promise. Macdonald has had a lot of success coaching Michigan’s defense in 2021, and it earned him the job with Baltimore as their defensive coordinator. Macdonald has continued a storied Ravens tradition of fielding a top five defense. You have to think he’d be interested in the Falcons considering the talent they have on the defensive side of the ball, and he’s a Georgia native.
Ben Johnson — Detroit Lions (OC)
One of the hottest names on the market, Ben Johnson and the Falcons are surely going to have at least one meeting together. Johnson is pretty much guaranteed to get a head coaching job this offseason, and the Falcons should be interested in his services. With the way he has used Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta, Johnson should also interested in working with Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson. It seems like a match made in heaven, but we will see.
Bobby Slowik — Houston Texans (OC)
Slowik is a little inexperienced, but with the way CJ Stroud looked in 2023, he’s going to garner a lot of interest around the league. The Texans weren’t exactly loaded with weapons, but Slowik helped guide them to a very improbable AFC South title. Any time that happens, teams are going to want to at least have a conversation with you.
Joe Brady — Buffalo Bills (OC)
Brady was almost the head coach of the Falcons before they decided to hire Arthur Smith. One of the architects behind LSU’s incredible 2019 offense, Brady had a rough stint in Carolina before taking over in Buffalo for Ken Dorsey and helping lead them to the playoffs. I think he’s ready, but this would be a risky hire.
Frank Smith — Miami Dolphins (OC)
Frank Smith is going to be another coveted name around the league, especially with how high-powered the Dolphins offense looked at times. Smith is a little green, and not every team has Tyreek Hill, but he would still have a ton of weapons to work with in Atlanta.
Ryan Nielsen — Atlanta Falcons (DC)
Nielsen is the only internal candidate on this list, and for good reason. The Falcons had a pretty solid defense, and Arthur Smith didn’t exactly build out an offensive staff. If Nielsen isn’t made the head coach, I’d love to see him retained by the new guy — especially if he’s an offensive mind.
Raheem Morris — Los Angeles Rams (DC)
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Raheem Morris took over after Dan Quinn was fired and did a pretty respectable job. He has been the mastermind behind a pretty good Rams defense that is starting to become starved for talent outside of Aaron Donald. And you know how much Arthur Blank loves his old friends.
Jeff Ulbrich — New York Jets (DC)
If this name also sounds familiar, it’s because Jeff Ulbrich took over at defensive coordinator when Raheem Morris replaced Dan Quinn. The Jets have fielded a pretty solid defense that has been let down by their offense, so Ulbrich might get an interview.
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Photo: Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire
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