FLOWERY BRANCH -- Kyle Shanahan has agreed to become offensive coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons, according to several media reports including Mary Kay Cabot's of The Cleveland Plain Dealer and Cleveland.com.
Shanahan, 35, the son of former long-time NFL head coach Mike Shanahan, resigned as offensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns with two years remaining on his contract of a dispute over a front-office mandate to play quarterback Johnny Manziel.
Shanahan is expected to be paired with Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who is very likely to be offered the Falcons head coach job after the Super Bowl Feb. 1. He's set to have his second interview with the Falcons as early as today.
Quinn and Shanahan are extremely close. Shanahan asked to be released from his contract Jan. 8 because of issues with the front office. Cleveland’s former receivers coach Mike McDaniel came from Washington with Shanahan and will likely join him in Atlanta, according to Cleveland.com.
Shanahan also would've had a chance to join the Ravens, according to the Baltimore Sun. Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak agreed to become head coach of the Broncos Sunday night, and Shanahan was on their short list.
He interviewed with them last year, and they really liked him. Shanahan also interviewed for the Bills head coaching vacancy, a job that went to Rex Ryan, and turned down a chance to interview with the 49ers.
Former Browns president Joe Banner, who hired Shanahan last year and made Quinn a finalist for the Browns' job, helped the Falcons with their coaching search this season, and landed two of his favorites from the Browns' search in Shanahan and Quinn.
When Shanahan was 28, he became the youngest coordinator in the NFL when he was promoted by the Houston Texans on January 11,2008.
He was the offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins from 2010 to 2013, while his father was the head coach. Both were fired.
The Shanahan's run the zone-blocking running scheme which uses a combination of cut blocks. The Falcons ran the system under former head coach Jim Mora, who had Alex Gibbs on his staff in 2004 and as an consultant in 2005-06.
REPLACING HEAD COACH MIKE SMITH
A tight look at the coaching candidates
7 major issues waiting for the new Falcons' coach
Falcons grew together before the downfall
Falcons OC Dirk Koetter hired by Tampa Bay
Report: Koetter interviews with Tampa Bay
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
About the Author
