Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, who received his start in coaching from Dan Reeves, is preparing to face the team that fired him four seasons ago. He spoke with staff writer D. Orlando Ledbetter on a few topics:

Q: Will you have any animosity when you look across the field and see the 49ers?

A: When I first got in the (NFL), I actually coached against my father (Dick Nolan) who was in the league, too. … There is not anything special in that regard. I want to win for the same reason as everybody else, so that we can go to the Super Bowl.

Q: Do you still stay in touch with coach Reeves?

A: Dan is a very close friend of my wife and I, both. Pam, his wife, we are all real close. He’s got a son-in-law over in Dallas, Joe DeCamillis. I was with Dan for 10 years, and we’ve always stayed in touch.

Q: Is he one of the overlooked coaches in NFL history?

A: He should be in the Hall of Fame. He’s one of the best. I’ve been with nine teams now and a lot of head coaches. I grew up in the business. There is absolutely zero question in my mind … that he belongs in the Hall of Fame. That has to happen at some point.