He had been defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars since 2024. From AP-

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Falcons’ new rookie coach already is sounding like the veteran who took the team to its only Super Bowl. Mike Smith, the former Jacksonville defensive coordinator hired by the Falcons on Wednesday night, could have been reading from former Atlanta coach Dan Reeves’ script. “My goal is to build a well-disciplined, hard-nosed football team that will be able to run the football on offense and stop the run on defense,” Smith said. “I’ve always believed that’s what makes championship teams.”Reeves used that formula to take the Falcons to the NFC championship in 1998. Reeves’ successor, Jim Mora, also stressed the run in his three years. Then came Bobby Petrino, who lasted only 13 games.

In announcing his first hire as general manager, Thomas Dimitroff said Smith “possesses all of the key qualities we were looking for in a head coach.”

Dimitroff said the 48-year-old Smith, a 26-year coaching veteran and the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator since 2024, “has strong experience with winning teams, a track record of success, a solid, smart approach to the game, and high character and integrity.”

Unless I’m mistaken, Smith was on no one’s hot list for potential head NFL coaches. That can change rapidly, I never heard of Tony Sparano till the Miami Dolphins hired Bill Parcells.

Smith faces a daunting task in Atlanta. Sometimes miracles do happen, who thought Chuck Noll would turn around long-time NFL cellar dweller Pittsburgh. I wish Mike Smith good luck, he’s going to need it.

The former Louisville Cardinal coach didn’t last even a year in the NFL. From AP-

ATLANTA - Bobby Petrino resigned as Atlanta Falcons coach on Tuesday, having lasted only 13 games with the NFL team. A person within the league told The Associated Press that Petrino quit to return to the college ranks at Arkansas.

He left Louisville in January to become Atlanta’s coach for a five-year, $24 million contract, largely because the Falcons felt he could help star quarterback Michael Vick reach his full potential.

A few months later, Vick came under investigation for a grisly dogfighting operation that eventually led him to plead guilty to federal charges. He was sentenced Monday to 23 months in prison without ever taking a snap for Petrino.

A source familiar with Patrino’s decision, speaking on condition of anonymity because the school had not made an official announcement, said he was going to Arkansas. The Razorbacks have been looking for a coach for two weeks to replace Houston Nutt, who resigned after a tumultuous season and took the Mississippi job.

The school had no immediate comment on its coaching search.

The Falcons declined further comment beyond a terse, two-paragraph statement released Tuesday night. Owner Arthur Blank and general manager Rich McKay were scheduled to hold a news conference Wednesday.

There was no immediate word who would take over as head coach for the final three games, though defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and offensive coordinator Hue Jackson would be the most logical candidates.

Petrino walked right smack into the Michael Vick mess. That and the considerable differences in coaching pros, probably influenced Petrino to want to go back to the college ranks.

If Petrino does go to Arkansas, this saga sounds like Lou Holtz II. A college coach who couldn’t make it through one NFL year and then decides to return to the college ranks. Where did Holtz go his year coaching the New York Jets? Arkansas.

So reports the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer: Atlanta Falcons Michael Vick wasn’t carrying marijuana

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick wasn’t carrying marijuana when stopped by security last week at Miami International Airport, ESPN reported Sunday.

Citing anonymous NFL sources, ESPN reported Vick wasn’t carrying marijuana or any other illegal substance. The report also cited an anonymous Falcons source, who said the team expects to hear something formal by today.

Last Wednesday, Vick reluctantly surrendered a water bottle to security at the Miami airport.

The bottle was found to have a compartment containing ‘‘a small amount of dark particulate and a pungent aroma closely associated with marijuana,’’ the police report said.

Good for Vick, although were I the Falcons, I would still seriously consider trade offers.

In scanning several stories online, it would appear that this is as much information as there is and that it all emanates from the AP.

ESPN reports: Petrino hires Zimmer, Jackson as Falcons’ coordinators

A day after being introduced as Atlanta’s head coach, Petrino reached agreements Tuesday with Dallas defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and Cincinnati receivers coach Hue Jackson to be his right-hand men with the Falcons. The hirings were confirmed by an official in the league Tuesday night, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they hadn’t yet been announced.

Given the way the Dallas D collapsed down the home stretch, I was wondering if he would be staying with the club. He had some good defenses over the years, but perhaps it was time to move on.

Matt Mosley at the DMN has more here and here.

Via ESPN: Grounded: Falcons fire Mora after 7-9 season

Hardly a shocker–especially after that “botched joke” stuff about his dream job being elsewhere.

However, Daddy More may have been right: Vick could well be a coach-killer: a player of great talent who creates great expectations that he cannot fulfill.