The Falcons hired former NFL running back Bernie Parmalee as their running backs coach on Wednesday.
Parmalee replaces Keith Carter, who left to become the Titans running backs coach earlier this offseason.
The team also hired Mayur Chaudhari as a special teams assistant and Chad Walker as an offensive assistant.
“We are excited to be able to add Mayur, Bernie, and Chad to our coaching staff,” coach Dan Quinn said in a statement released by the team. “The three men bring a lot of experience to our staff, in addition to being very knowledgeable in our schemes. With the addition of Gregg Knapp earlier, our coaching staff is taking shape as we prepare for the (NFL scouting) combine and free agency.”
Parmalee joins the Falcons after spending three years with the Raiders as their running backs coach (2015-17). During his three seasons with the Raiders, the team averaged 4.20 yards per carry and tallied 4,933 rushing yards with 37 touchdowns.
Before joining the Raiders coaching staff, he spent time with the Chiefs (2010-12), Notre Dame (2005-09), and the Dolphins (2002-04).
Parmalee, who played at Ball State, played in the NFL from 1992-2000. He played for the Dolphins from 1992-98 and for the Jets in 1999 and 2000. He played in 134 games and made 25 starts.
Chaudhari brings 20 years of coaching experience to the Falcons. He was most recently the special teams coordinator for the University of Hawaii for the past two seasons (2016-17).
Walker returns for his third season with the Falcons after spending last year with the University of Arkansas. He replaces Charlie Weis Jr., who left to become Florida Atlantic’s offensive coordinator.
Chaudhari replaces Eric Sutulovich, who was not retained. He worked with special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong for the past nine seasons.
However, the special teams units play slipped last season.
Overall, the Falcons' special teams were sub-standard. They finished in the bottom half of the league (22nd) in Rick Gosselin's industry leading rankings.
The coverage units ranked 32nd (last) in kickoff coverage at 26.2 yards per return.
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