Falcons' Mike Smith named Coach of Year

Atlanta Falcons

Falcons' Mike Smith named Coach of Year

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith was named the AP's NFL Coach of the Year for 2008.

Owner Arthur Blank announces Mike Smith's hiring at a press conference in Jaunary of 2008. Smith became the Falcons' fourth head coach in a 13-month span. The others: Jim Mora (fired in January of 2007); Bobby Petrino (he quit in December of 2007); and Emmitt Thomas (he took over after Petrino's departure).

Smith and general manager Thomas Dimitroff (left) welcome the newest Falcon, rookie quarterback Matt Ryan, to the Falcons training camp in Flowery Branch last spring.

Smith leads the team out for first practice of traning camp on July 26, 2008, in Flowery Branch.

Though Smith was detail-oriented in his preparations for practices and games, he brought his passionate nature to the sideline on game days.

Falcons' coach Mike Smith gets in the face of Bucs receiver Antonio Bryant after Bryant shoved an Atlanta player along the Falcons sideline.

Smith was a defensive coach as an assistant, and the Falcons' defense played above expectations in 2008. On Nov. 30, the Falcons didn't allow an offensive touchdown in winning 22-16 on the road at San Diego, the eventual champions of the AFC West.

Playoff-bound: Smith rejoices after a fourth-down play by Minnesota failed in the closing minutes of Atlanta's 24-17 win on Dec. 21. That victory clinched the Falcons' first playoff berth in 4 years.

Arthur Blank embraces Smith in the closing seconds of the Falcons' final regular season game, a 31-27 win over the Rams on Dec. 28. The Falcons, who were 4-12 the previous season, finished 11-5 and nearly won the NFC South in Smith's rookie year.

Smith congratulates Cardinals' coach Ken Whisenhunt after the Falcons lost in the NFC wild-card round. The next day, Smith was named the AP's Coach of the Year, only the second Falcons coach to receive the honor. Dan Reeves won it in 1998.

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Owner Arthur Blank announces Mike Smith's hiring at a press conference in Jaunary of 2008. Smith became the Falcons' fourth head coach in a 13-month span. The others: Jim Mora (fired in January of 2007); Bobby Petrino (he quit in December of 2007); and Emmitt Thomas (he took over after Petrino's departure).

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