Atlanta Falcons announced on Friday that Arthur Smith would be the next head coach of their team.
Smith, 38 years old, replaces Dan Quinn, whom the Falcons fired after Week 5. Raheem Morris is the interim coach, leading the team to a 5-7 record, and interviewed for the full-time job.
The job eventually went to Smith, the Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator for the last two years.
Smith served as a graduate assistant for the North Carolina Tar Heels in 2006. He also played as a reserve offensive lineman from 2001-05. He broke into the professional ranks after 2006 as a defensive quality control assistant with Washington for the next three years before returning to the college game in 2010 as a quality control coach at Ole Miss.
In 2011 the Titans hired Smith, and he’s been with the team since, even through four head coaches. Meanwhile, Smith thrived his way up the coaching ladder, becoming the Titans tight end coach.
When Matt LaFleur was hired as head coach for the Green Bay Packers after the 2018 season, Mike Vrable promoted Smith.
Under Smith, the Titans evolved into an all-round offensive attack. Derrick Henry, the team, ’s running back became the seventh player to rush for 2,000 yards in 2020. Ryan Tannehill (quarterback) emerged as a feasible NFL starter following a lacklustre start to his career with the Miami Dolphins. Incredible players such as receivers Corey Davis and A.J. Brown were quality options for the offensive coordinator and quarterback.
The Falcons are anticipated to hire an assistant general manager of New Orleans Saints, Terry Fontenot as the team’s general manager replacing Thomas Dimitroff.
