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Atlanta Falcons

Report: Titans’ Arthur Smith had second interview with Falcons

FILE - Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith instructs his players during NFL football training camp in Nashville, Tenn., in this Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, file photo. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, Pool, File)
FILE - Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith instructs his players during NFL football training camp in Nashville, Tenn., in this Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, file photo. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, Pool, File)
D. Orlando Ledbetter
By D. Orlando Ledbetter

Tennessee offensive coordinator Arthur Smith completed his virtual interview for the head coaching position with the Falcons on Monday and had a second interview Wednesday, according to NFL Media.

Smith, who some agents believes is the Falcons’ front runner, also has interviews with the Jets, Eagles and Lions.

Smith was free this week after the Titans were eliminated from the playoffs Sunday by the Baltimore Ravens. His unit could only muster 13 points and running back Derrick Henry was held to 40 yards rushing on 18 carries.

In addition to Smith, the Falcons have completed virtual head coach interviews with six other candidates:

Beginning Jan. 4, clubs could begin conducting in-person interviews for head coach and general manager positions with candidates who are not current NFL team employees or whose club is not participating in the postseason.

Virtual interviews for head-coach positions could begin with coaches whose clubs had a bye in the first week of the playoffs, and were allowed to continue through the conclusion of wild-card games Jan. 10.

Name: Arthur Smith

Age: 38

Current role: Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator

Background: Played guard in college at North Carolina. Worked his way up with the Titans from quality-control assistant in 2011 to offensive coordinator in 2019. His father is FedEx founder Fred Smith.

When interviewed: Monday, Jan. 11 (confirmed by team). Wednesday, Jan. 13 (reported by NFL Media).

Why he makes sense: He runs the same type of power offense that the Falcons ran under former coach Mike Smith and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey. You won’t see any jet sweeps on third-and-1. The Falcons will have to find him a power running back in the mode of Michael “The Burner” Turner and Derrick Henry.