Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons complete performance, coaching staff

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) works as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Jacquies Smith (56) gives chase during the second of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Credit: AP

Credit: AP

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) works as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Jacquies Smith (56) gives chase during the second of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2015, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
By
Feb 23, 2024

FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons filled out their player-performance staff and added three more coaching staff members Thursday, the team announced.

Jacquies Smith, who played in the NFL for five seasons, was named the outside linebackers coach. D.J. Williams, son of Commanders executive Doug Williams, was named an offensive assistant/assistant quarterbacks coach, and Rob Dadona was hired as manager of coaching operations.

ExploreMore AJC coverage of the Falcons

Smith appeared in 37 games (18 starts) for the Buccaneers, Lions and Raiders from 2014-18. He spent the 2023 on the staff of the Texas Longhorns as assistant edge coach. He joined Nevada’s staff in late December as defensive ends coach.

Also, Shawn Flaherty was retained as an assistant offensive line coach and Patrick Kramer as an offensive assistant.

John Griffin was named director of player performance, Josh Nelson the director of performance science, Paul Constantine as the associate director of strength and conditioning and Erik Jernstrom as assistant director of strength and conditioning.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Falcons owner Arthur Blank, shown here speaking at a news conference in October, testified in an arbitration grievance between the NFL and the National Football League Players Association that was decided in January. (Miguel Martinez/AJC 2024)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Falcons’ Arthur Blank testified in NFLPA’s anti-collusion grievance

The grievance claimed NFL owners colluded to deny certain players guaranteed compensation in violation of the anti-collusion article in the collective bargaining agreement.

Quest for the playoffs: Here are the Falcons’ five most important games

Here's a look at five key games this season for the Atlanta Falcons.

Falcons’ Kirk Cousins featured in season 2 of Netflix’s ‘Quarterback’

The Atlanta Falcons quarterback, then with the Vikings, was a breakout hit of the show in season one.

The Latest

Falcons owner Arthur Blank, shown here speaking at a news conference in October, testified in an arbitration grievance between the NFL and the National Football League Players Association that was decided in January. (Miguel Martinez/AJC 2024)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Falcons’ Arthur Blank testified in NFLPA’s anti-collusion grievance

Quest for the playoffs: Here are the Falcons’ five most important games

Falcons’ Kirk Cousins featured in season 2 of Netflix’s ‘Quarterback’

Featured

Cabbagetown resident Nadia Giordani stands in the door of her 300-square-foot tiny home in her backyard that she uses as a short-term rental to help her pay for rising property taxes in the area. (Riley Bunch/AJC)

Credit: Riley Bunch/riley.bunch@ajc.com

Inside Atlanta’s long-term debate over short-term rentals

Atlanta leaders have spent years trying to regulate app housing rentals while relying on them to support city tourism.

Couple acquitted of child abuse sue officers, doctors and DFCS

A Georgia couple says DFCS, officers and doctors ignored signs their child was sick and wrongly accused them of abuse, leading to jail time and family separation.

How AI is revolutionizing ATL’s international terminal

A new automated customs process for Americans is just one of many possible applications of AI technology that are being explored at the Atlanta airport.