PHOENIX -- Falcons former defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, who cleared his office the day Mike Smith was fired, has been hired to coach the linebackers for the San Diego Chargers.
Under Nolan, the Falcons had the 32nd ranked defense in the league last season.
“Mike is a tremendous coach with a wealth of experience and he’ll be a great addition to our coaching staff,” San Diego head coach Mike McCoy. “I’ve known him for many years having coached both with him and against him and it’s great to have him here with us with the Chargers.”
Nolan was the Falcons’ defensive coordinator from 2012-14. His tenure got off to a good start as the Falcons went 13-3 and earned the NFC’s number-one seed in the playoffs in ‘12. The team reached the NFC championship game, but the defense couldn’t hold a 17-0 lead.
Things went downhill after that season.
Also, the Chicago Bears recently announced that the added Glenn Pires as linebackers coach. Pires, an original member of Mike Smith coaching staff in 2008, spent the last seven seasons coaching the Falcons' linebackers. He has 19 seasons of NFL experience, including stints with the Dolphins, Lions and Cardinals.
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