The Falcons have several team officials and coaches with strong football ties to their fathers. Here is a look at some of them:
Rich McKay, president
McKay has served as the general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1994-2003) and the Falcons (2003-08) before assuming his current position.
He is the son of the late John McKay, the legendary coach at USC (1960-75), where he won four national championships, and the Buccaneers (1976-84). The athletic center at USC will be named for the elder McKay this summer.
“You always felt the stress and the pressure, but he always handled that very, very well, especially at home,” McKay said of his childhood. “It didn’t mean it was going to be fun at home when the stress and pressure was on when we were losing games, but it meant he wasn’t going to come home and yell at anybody.”
McKay’s father did not want his sons to follow in his footsteps, making both get law degrees, but both eventually got into the game. With his degree, McKay began representing the Buccaneers and eventually was asked to join team management. He called his father to inform him of the offer. After a long pause, the elder McKay asked to call his son back the next day, but eventually gave his blessing.
The elder McKay was able, in his own way, to let his son know he was proud of his accomplishments.
“We are the McKays, and we are Irish Catholic, so we don’t ever share that, but I think in 1997 we won the division championship, I think he was more overwhelmed than we were,” McKay said. “He never, ever would call me after a game ... he was the first person to call me that night. I felt like, with him, that was his acknowledgement that we got something done.”
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Dirk Koetter, offensive coordinator
Koetter joined the Falcons this season after coaching at the high school, collegiate and professional level. He was head coach at Boise State and Arizona State.
He is the son of Jim Koetter, a legendary high school coach in Pocatello, Idaho, where he won several state championships.
“This is my 31st year of coaching and I say, without reservation, that my dad was one of the two or three best coaches I know,” Koetter said. “Way better than I will ever be. So, I learned so much about how to handle people, work ethic. I owe it to him. The fact that I’m coaching in the NFL, I owe a lot of that to him.”
Koetter is quick to point out that his ascent to the NFL doesn’t make him a better coach than those who choose a different path.
“I’m very appreciative that I’m coaching in the NFL, but there are plenty of high school coaches out there who just didn’t choose to go in that direction,” Koetter said. “Some of the best coaches are high school coaches in small towns all across this country. I wouldn’t expect my dad to say just because I’m in the NFL, I’ve proven myself.”
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Mike Nolan, defensive coordinator
Nolan joined the Falcons this season after several coaching jobs in the college and professional ranks, including serving as head coach of the 49ers (2005-08).
He is the son of the late Dick Nolan, who played in the NFL and was head coach for the same 49ers (1968-75) and the Saints (1978-80), among his coaching stops.
“My father always made time for his family,” Nolan said. “It was always important to him. He always made a point that you can still do this job and be a parent. That was one thing I did learn as a coach’s kid. That is very important. I say that because it’s not always true. For some it’s 24 hours football. It doesn’t take 24 hours. He always said if it takes that long to beat me, they are not very smart.”
Dick Nolan offered a simply philosophy to his son.
“Even as a football coach we talked a little X’s and O’s, but as a father he was a father first with me, always,” Nolan said. “He used to always say, I would get lost in schemes sometimes, and he would say it’s a people business. You get the better players and coach them right and be a good teacher, you will be the better.”
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Mike Smith, head coach
Smith is entering his fifth season as coach of the Falcons, a job he has held since 2008 with a 33-15 regular-season record.
He is the son of Sam Smith, who retired after serving as a junior high football coach in Florida. He currently runs a charter school in Daytona Beach.
“I started going to practices since I was 5 years old,” Smith said. “I’ve been on the sideline forever. I know, it may sound a little corny, but I knew I wanted to be a football coach from a very young age. I can remember going to show-and-tell in second or third grade and I would bring a helmet or a football card. It’s something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time simply because my dad did.”
Smith said of the many lessons he was taught by his father, how to deal with people was one he still refers to today.
“The trait I learned from my father is to be someone who is very caring and humble,” Smith said. “My dad is still an administrator and teacher. I learned when you treat people the right way you can get results.”
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