Bryan Cox, one of the more feared linebackers in the NFL during the 1990s, was named the Falcons’ defensive line coach Saturday.
Since retiring in 2002, Cox has served coaching stints with the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
While in Miami as the pass-rush coach in 2011, Cox coached with Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan.
After going 4-12 this season, the Falcons fired defensive line coach Ray Hamilton, who had been with the team since 2008.
The defense ranked 31st against the run, as they gave up 135.8 yards per game. The Falcons had only 32 sacks, tied for 30th with Houston. Only Jacksonville (31) and Chicago (31) had fewer.
Three starters, defensive tackles Jonathan Babineaux, Corey Peters and Peria Jerry are set to become unrestricted free agents on March 11.
Cox, 45, was the defensive front-seven coach for Tampa Bay in 2012 and 2013, but was not retained by recently hired coach Lovie Smith.
Cox, a fifth-round pick out of Western Illinois in 1991, was a star for the Dolphins, the Chicago Bears and the New York Jets. He finished his 12-year career with brief stints in New England and New Orleans.
He was a three-time Pro Bowler and made the All-Pro first-team in 1992.
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