Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Search: Latest Rumors, Speculation on Vacant Position

The Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn reportedly have agreed to terms for Quinn to be the team's new head coach.

Continue for updates.    

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Quinn, Falcons Agree to Terms

Monday, Feb. 2

"Falcons and their HC Dan Quinn reached agreement on a 5-year contract, per source. Quinn is expected to fly to Atlanta with Falcons today," reported ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Yesterday, Kevin Patra of NFL.com, via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, reported Quinn is expected to be announced as the Falcons' new head coach Tuesday, while also reporting who will join Quinn's staff:

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The Falcons will announce Dan Quinn as their new head coach on Tuesday, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday on NFL Network's Gameday Morning.

Rapoport also reported that Kyle Shanahan will join Quinn as theFalcons' offensive coordinator and run an attack loaded with a talented franchise quarterback in Matt Ryan and dominant wide receiver in Julio Jones. Quinn will add Richard Smith as defensive coordinator.

Seattle is expected to replace Quinn with defensive backs coach Kris Richard, Rapoport reported.

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On Jan. 31, NBC Sports' Mike Florio reported, "The worst-kept secret in the NFL will no longer be a secret in a few days. Per multiple sources, the Falcons currently plan to name Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn the new head coach in Atlanta."

The report jives with what  D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Jan. 25, saying Quinn would be named Atlanta's head coach the day after the Super Bowl.

On Jan. 18, Rapoport reported Quinn became the "clear favorite" to fill Atlanta's head-coaching vacancy.

Fox Sports' Jay Glazer, via Ross Jones of FoxSports.com, corroborated Rapoport's report:

Chris Simms of Bleacher Report weighed in on Quinn's potential move to Atlanta:

Albert Breer of NFL.com reported on Quinn's potential staff in Atlanta, with Washington secondary coach Raheem Morris reportedly set to become assistant head coach and Broncos linebackers coach Richard Smith moving over to become the defensive coordinator.

With Seattle reaching the Super Bowl, the Falcons were forced to wait to take any further action as far as naming Quinn head coach. CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reported on Atlanta's vested interest:

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McDaniels Unlikely to Leave Pats

Wednesday, Jan. 14

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported that Josh McDaniels was unlikely to leave New England for Atlanta:

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Falcons Reportedly Not Sold on Bowles

Wednesday, Jan. 14

According to Alex Marvez of Fox Sports, the Falcons weren't sold on Todd Bowles:

However, Atlanta had been interested in the Cardinals defensive coordinator since the start of their search. ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Monday that the Falcons were the first team to bring Bowles back for a second interview. 

Prior to that, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Bowles was viewed as the favorite to land the job, while Vaughn McClure of ESPN reported that Bowles' first interview went extremely well.  

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Front Office Restructure Won't Impact Falcons Coach Hunt

Tuesday, Jan. 13

Vaughn McClure of ESPN reported that the Falcons' restructuring of their front office wouldn't hinder their coaching search:

Previously, the machinations of the front office may have cost the team a chance at landing Rex Ryan, according to Dianna Marie Russini of NBC 5.

Bleacher Report's Stephen Nelson and Knox Bardeen of Fox Sports break down the latest on Atlanta's search:

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Ryan Reportedly Passed On Falcons Over Front Office Involvement

Sunday, Jan. 11

Dianna Marie Russini of NBC 5 reported on why Rex Ryan reportedly passed on Atlanta to take the head job in Buffalo:

On January 10, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News provided the latest on Ryan and the Falcons:

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com previously reported that the Falcons were ready to progress to their next stage of the interview process:

Bleacher Report's Chris Simms breaks down what landing Ryan would mean for the Falcons in the NFC South:

On January 6, Chris Wesseling of NFL.com shared a report on Ryan's dealings with the Falcons:

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The Atlanta Falcons and former New York Jets coach Rex Ryan have parted ways after spending the afternoon together on Tuesday.

Ryan's interview ended after five or more hours, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports, via a source informed of their situation.

The length of the interview is proof of mutual interest, even if both parties are moving on to their next round of interviews.

The Falcons still have an interview scheduled with Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles on Thursday, per Rapoport. 

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Rapoport first reported on January 2 that Ryan would meet with the Falcons.

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Falcons Meet with Marrone

Monday, Jan. 5

Former Buffalo Bills head coach Doug Marrone is in Atlanta on Monday to meet with the Falcons, according to NFL Network's Albert Breer.

Brian Costello of the New York Post previously reported on Thursday that the Falcons had set up an interview with Marrone.

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In-House Candidate Armstrong Interviews

Monday, Jan. 5

FoxSports.com's Alex Marvez reported that "special-teams coach Keith Armstrong interviewed for [the] team's head coaching vacancy on Sunday." 

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Multiple Coaches to Interview With Falcons

Wednesday, Dec. 31

Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will interview with the Falcons, according to Albert Breer of NFL Network:

The Falcons will also be interviewing New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports:

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Falcons Fire Smith, Open Head Coaching Search 

Monday, Dec. 29

After a second consecutive season outside the playoffs, the Atlanta Falcons are in the market for a new head coach.      

Falcons owner Arthur Blank announced the organization fired Mike Smith Monday following the Falcons' 34-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers in a de facto NFC South championship game Sunday: 

In order to aid in the Falcons' coaching expedition, owner Arthur Blank has reportedly hired search firm Korn Ferry, per ESPN.com.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com is reporting that the Falcons have already started their pursuit of Denver offensive coordinator Adam Gase:

Rapoport provided an additional name on the Falcons' radar:

Although the past two years were certainly disappointing in Atlanta, Smith had a very successful run with the Falcons overall, according to SportsCenter:

While Blank may have had no choice other than to make a change, he praised Smith for the job he did while with the organization, per ESPN.com.

"Smitty's contributions to our club, team and city over the last seven years are numerous," Blank said in a release. "His accomplishments on the field made him the most successful coach in the 49-year history of the Falcons, and we are grateful for the foundation he has laid for us for the future."

ESPN's Mike Greenberg agreed that Smith helped get the Falcons on the right track but also felt it was time to go in a different direction:

The Falcons barely missed the playoffs in 2014, despite going just 7-9, which means even slight improvements could get them into the postseason come 2015.

Changes in personnel are necessary, especially on the defensive side of the ball, but a new voice in the locker room could go a long way as well.

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