Atlanta Falcons

Falcons head coach job: Bill Belichick, Jim Harbaugh, other candidates who have interviewed so far

By The Associated Press and Mikaela Thomas, WSBTV.com

AMFOOT-NFL-PATRIOTS-BELICHICK New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick announces he is leaving the team during a press conference at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on January 11, 2024. Belichick, the NFL mastermind who has guided the New England Patriots to a record six Super Bowl titles as head coach, is parting ways with the team after 24 seasons. (Photo by Joseph Prezioso / AFP) (Photo by JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images) (JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images)

By The Associated Press and Mikaela Thomas, WSBTV.com

ATLANTA — As the search for the Atlanta Falcons’ new head coach continues, the organization confirmed this week that they have interviewed former Patriots coach Bill Belichick and University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Belichick, a 6-time Super Bowl champion as a head coach, was let go from the Patriots on Thursday. Harbaugh, a former San Francisco 49ers coach, won the College Football Playoff with the Wolverines this month.

The Falcons started the interview process last week with its first interview with Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, a former University of Georgia assistant.

LA Rams Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris also landed an interview, the team announced on Saturday.

From 2015 to 2020, Morris served in several roles with the Falcons, including interim head coach at one point.

They also announced on Saturday that they have completed an interview with Buffalo Bills interim Offensive Coordinator Joe Brady.

Per NFL protocols, interviews with employees from other organizations must be conducted virtually before the conclusion of Divisional Playoff games on Sunday, Jan. 21.

Starting Jan. 22, the Falcons will be allowed to conduct in-person or virtual interviews with candidates who are employed by other NFL clubs whose seasons have concluded and are prohibited from conducting initial interviews with candidates who are employed by clubs participating in the Conference Championship Games until the conclusion of the employer club’s season.

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The Falcons fired Arthur Smith a week ago after his third consecutive 7-10 season.

The next day, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank and CEO Rich McKay addressed the media for nearly 90 minutes, revealing that they had a two-hour meeting with Smith after their loss to the Saints in the team’s final game of the season before deciding to part ways.

Blank said the decision to fire Smith didn’t necessarily come down to one specific issue.

“Obviously not a snap decision. It’s one that you continue to ruminate on as the season goes on. What’s our record against winning teams? What’s our record against losing teams? Our record against losing teams this year was abysmal honestly. Lots of reasons. But we lost a bunch of games we probably should not have lost,” Blank said.

Blank said general manager Terry Fontenot, who was in not attendance during the news conference, will be “heavily involved” in the process going forward as will others.

But Blank will have the final decision on the next head coach. The Falcons owner stressed there is no timetable for when that will be.

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