The Atlanta Falcons have been in the market for a new head coach for nearly two weeks now following their firing of Arthur Smith in the wake of the franchise’s third straight 7-10 season under his guidance. The Falcons have interviewed quite a few candidates since then, but do not appear to be honing in on any particular option just yet as they continue scheduling a plethora of interviews.
More Interviews Set for Falcons’ Next Head Coach
News came out Sunday of Atlanta’s latest interview for its head coaching position — Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the franchise was set to interview Slowik that day and have also scheduled meetings with former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel and University of Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh along with scheduling other in-person interviews. Schefter said the search is apparently “wide open.”
Atlanta has interviewed at least 12 candidates with Slowik included since beginning the search.
An additional interview for Harbaugh would be his second with the franchise after he initially interviewed on Jan. 16, according to a post to the Falcons’ X (formerly known as Twitter) account.
Rumors of Harbaugh returning to the NFL have persisted throughout this coaching cycle, and dating back to previous years as well ever since he left the league. Harbaugh was head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14, guiding them to a Super Bowl appearance in 2012 before they lost to the Baltimore Ravens, which were led by his brother, John Harbaugh.
Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has already interviewed twice for the Falcons’ lead role as well. Belichick and Atlanta have some history between them after his Patriots famously rallied from a 28-3 deficit to take a 34-28 overtime win in Super Bowl 51, the largest comeback effort in Super Bowl history.
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The Falcons’ dozen interviewees thus far began with Belichick, Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Ravens associate head coach Anthony Weaver, and Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan.
It has since continued to expand with Harbaugh, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, Buffalo Bills interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady, and now Slowik.
With Vrabel set to be interviewed soon and potentially others to follow, it’s clear Atlanta is considering a variety of options for the position after watching Smith’s teams fall short of expectations in recent years.
Whichever candidate ultimately gets the gig will inherit plenty of skill-position talent on the offensive side between running back Bijan Robinson, tight end Kyle Pitts, and wide receiver Drake London, among others.
Questions remain at quarterback, however, as neither Desmond Ridder nor Taylor Heinicke provided consistent play there this season.
How the Falcons fill those crucial spots at both head coach and eventually quarterback will be crucial to the organization’s hopes of taking a step forward in the near future.
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