FLOWERY BRANCH – The Falcons' head-coaching search kicked into high gear over the weekend. It will go into over-drive this week with four scheduled interviews.
Denver offensive coordinator Adam Gase and New England Patriots offensive Josh McDaniels were interviewed on Friday. Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was interviewed on Saturday.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Two of the Falcons prospective head coaches became available when Arizona and Detroit went down to defeat in the wild-card round of the playoffs.
The Falcons, who had already sought permission to interview Arizona defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and Detroit defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, will interview with both this week along with Rex Ryan (Tuesday) and former Buffalo coach Doug Marrone.
Austin helped his case with the pressure that his unit generated against the Cowboys. They were able to disguise their blitzes and create free runners to the quarterback. The Lions registered six sacks and 10 quarterback hits against the Cowboys.
Now, the Lions did allow 17 unanswered points after taking a 20-7 lead. But they didn’t get much second-half help from quarterback Matthew Stafford and the offense.
Austin, 49, was in his first season as Detroit’s defensive coordinator. He spent the three previous seasons with the
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Baltimore Ravens as their defensive backs coach.
He also had NFL coaching stints with Seattle (2003-06) and Arizona (2007-09).
With each of his NFL stops, he has helped his teams pave the way to Super Bowl appearances (Seattle in 2005, Arizona in 2008 and Baltimore in 2012). In 2012, he helped guide the Ravens to a win in Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans.
He also had college stops at Penn State, Wake Forest, Syracuse and Michigan and Florida, where he was the defensive coordinator in 2010.
The Sharon, Pa. native safety in college at Pittsburgh and with the Montreal Machine in the old World League of American Football.
San Francisco has also sought permission to interview Austin.
The improvement of Detroit’s defense has been credited with helping Lions improve to 11-5 this past season.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
The Lions defense finished ranked second overall, third in scoring and was the top-ranked run-defense in the NFL. Austin’s unit held Dallas running back Demarco Murray to 75 yards rushing on 19 carries (3.9 per carry) in the wild-card loss.
Murray led the league with 1,845 yards rushing and averaged 4.7 yards per carry during the regular-season.
“I think he’s deserving of it and I think he’s going to get one,” Detroit coach Jim Caldwell told the Detroit media. “I think once they get an opportunity to see him and listen to him and watch what he’s been able to do, I think it will happen for him. I think that will be absolutely outstanding.”
http://www.azcardinals.com/videos/videos/Bowles-talks-Panthers-coaching-jobs/0100d675-903a-4dea-bd28-682655ca0406
After an 8-year NFL career, Bowles' first coaching job was as defensive coordinator/secondary coach at Morehouse in 1997. He played at Temple with Falcons special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong.
Bowles is a 14-year NFL assistant who has also coached with the New York Jets, Cleveland, Dallas and Miami.
In his first year in Arizona, the Cardinals had the NFL’s 6th ranked defense and No. 1 ranked run defense. They allowed the fewest rushing yards in team history for a 16-game season (1,351 yards), had 47.0 sacks (3rd in team history) and 30 takeaways (tied for 6th in NFL), including 20 interceptions (5th in NFL).
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
But his unit didn’t perform well down the stretch and in the playoffs. They gave up 386 yards to Carolina, including 188 on the ground. Granted they didn’t have much help from the offense and a third-string quarterback.
He played defensive back in the NFL with the Washington Redskins (1986-90; 1992-93) and San Francisco 49ers (1991).
The Jets, Bears, 49ers and Raiders have all requested permission to interview Bowles.
The search-firm Korn Ferry, which only takes one NFL team as season, has been retained by the Falcons to help with the search. Korn Ferry helped with the hiring of Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien and Kansas City’s hiring of Andy Reid.
REPLACING HEAD COACH MIKE SMITH
Mike Smith, Falcons grew together before the downfall
Report: Koetter interviews with Tampa Bay
Koetter, Nolan packed up and left after Smith was fired
A quick look back at Mike Smith's tenure
Arthur Blank explains decision to fire Mike Smith, the winningest coach in franchise history
Report: Falcons to interview Rex Ryan on Tuesday
About the Author
