Atlanta Falcons Fire Coach Arthur Smith After Three Seasons
The Atlanta Falcons have made the decision to part ways with coach Arthur Smith after his three-year tenure with the team, according to an announcement made by the organization on Monday. This move comes after the Falcons finished their third consecutive season with a 7-10 record, concluding with a disappointing 48-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Smith, who is 41 years old, leaves the Falcons with a final record of 21-30.
Owner Arthur Blank Explains the Decision
In a statement released by the team, Atlanta owner Arthur Blank expressed the difficulty of this decision and his respect for coach Smith. Blank acknowledged Smith’s hard work and dedication in building a positive culture within the Falcons organization. However, the team’s on-field performance has not met expectations, leading to the conclusion that new leadership is needed in the head coaching position. Blank and Atlanta Falcons CEO Rich McKay will address the media at 4 p.m. ET on Monday to provide further details.
Falcons’ Struggles and Coaching Transition
The Falcons have not achieved a winning record since 2017, which coincided with their last playoff appearance. After the 2020 season, Arthur Smith was brought in to replace Dan Quinn as head coach. Prior to joining the Falcons, Smith served as the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans in 2019 and 2020.
Throughout Smith’s tenure, the Falcons faced challenges in their quarterback position, with Matt Ryan, Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, and Taylor Heinicke all taking turns as the starter. Unfortunately, none of these quarterbacks were able to consistently lead the team to victory.
Conclusion
The Atlanta Falcons have made the difficult decision to part ways with coach Arthur Smith after three seasons. Despite his contributions to building a positive culture within the organization, the team’s lack of success on the field has led to the need for new leadership. The search for a new head coach begins as the Falcons aim to turn their fortunes around and return to playoff contention.
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(Photo: Quinn Harris / Getty Images)