Falcons’ Smith says no plan to take reins from coordinators
In his seven-plus seasons as Falcons head coach Mike Smith has allowed his coordinators freedom in running their respective units while adding his input.
Smith said he doesn’t plan to change that approach with the Falcons (2-6) on a five-game losing streak.
“Definitely the buck stops with me,” Smith said Monday. “As the head football coach you are responsible for everything that happens out there on the field. I have all the confidence in the way that we do things. We’ve done it that way for seven years. I will continue to do it that way.”
Both offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan are in their third season with the Falcons. Koetter was a coordinator with the Jaguars from 2007-2011 while Nolan’s nearly three decades of coaching in NFL includes coordinator jobs with six other teams.
Smith was the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator for five years before being hired as Falcons head coach in 2008.
“I am involved in offense, defense and special teams,” Smith said. “People want to look at where your background and say you are this kind of coach or that kind of coach. When you are the head coach you are responsible for all three phases.”
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