Doug Plank, the Georgia Force's highly successful head coach, was named to the Falcons' coaching staff Tuesday.

Plank will remain as coach of the Arena Football League team in addition to working for the NFL team. Falcons owner Arthur Blank also owns the Force.

For the Falcons, Plank will serve as a coaching assistant and be assigned to special projects, according to Reggie Roberts, the Falcons' vice president of football communications.

Plank met with Falcons head coach Mike Smith to close the deal and clarify his role. He will be involved in offense and defense and with special teams.

Plank, who has a 47-25 record and guided the Force to ArenaBowl XIX in 2005, played professionally with the Chicago Bears but has not coached in the NFL.

Plank did not return a call to his cellphone.

There was some speculation about Plank joining the Falcons staff if his former Bears teammate, Mike Singletary, had been hired as coach after the 2007 season.

Plank, who played at Ohio State for the legendary Woody Hayes, started for eight seasons for the Bears, including for the Super Bowl championship team of 1985.

The Bears' famed "46 Defense" created by defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan was named for Plank's number and his rugged style of safety play.

The Falcons already have Emmitt Thomas (assistant head coach/secondary) and Alvin Reynolds (defensive backs coach) working with the secondary.

One of Plank's assignments likely will include helping develop young safeties on the roster.

Behind veterans Lawyer Milloy (13 years), Erik Coleman (six years) and Deke Cooper (five years) is a young but talented trio of safeties in Thomas DeCoud, a third-round pick in 2008; Daren Stone, a sixth-round pick in 2007; and undrafted rookie signee Eric Brock from Auburn.

It is not unprecedented for a coach to work in both leagues.

In 2002, Joe Avezzano coached the Dallas Cowboys' special teams and served as coach of the AFL's Dallas Desperados.

Under Plank, the Force have made four consecutive playoff appearances and won three Southern Division titles. They were upset 73-70 in the divisional playoff round by the Cleveland Gladiators on July 7.

Before joining the Force, Plank was the defensive coordinator for the AFL's Arizona Rattlers under head coach Danny White, a former Cowboys quarterback.