Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Former Falcons coach gets job interview

Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith walks onto the field during warmups before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith walks onto the field during warmups before an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
By The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jan 6, 2017

Former Falcons coach Mike Smith interviewed with the San Diego Chargers, who are looking for a head coach, the Chargers announced Thursday.

On their web site, the Chargers said Smith’s interview was the team’s first with a candidate to replace Mike McCoy, who was fired Sunday after four seasons as head coach in San Diego.

Chargers president John Spanos and general manager Tom Telesco are spearheading the search for a new coach.

Smith was the Falcons’ head coach from 2008-14. He compiled a 66-46 regular-season won-loss record and took the team to the playoffs in four of those seasons, where they were 1-4. His 67 wins overall rank as a franchise record among head coaches.

Smith joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as defensive coordinator for this season. He was defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003-07 and an assistant for the Baltimore Ravens from 1999-2002.

About the Author

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus (left) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Minneapolis. (Bruce Kluckhohn/AP)

Credit: AP

Falcons’ Raheem Morris: ‘Those two young rushers set us off with a bunch of energy’

"I can’t say enough about those young guys. I can’t say enough about what they’ve done. They want to know how to play football every single day, says Coach Morris.

1h ago

Falcons’ Michael Penix on Bijan Robinson: ‘He’s the best running back in this league’

Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. talks about the 22-6 win over the Vikings on Sunday.

Falcons’ report card: Four rookies on defense came through with big plays

The Latest

Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus (left) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Minneapolis. (Bruce Kluckhohn/AP)

Credit: AP

Falcons’ Raheem Morris: ‘Those two young rushers set us off with a bunch of energy’

1h ago

Falcons’ Michael Penix on Bijan Robinson: ‘He’s the best running back in this league’

5 things we learned from Falcons’ win over Vikings

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com

A Braves fan took a ball to the face. The team may be liable, judges say.

The Atlanta Braves and former right fielder Jorge Soler face a lawsuit by a fan hit in the eye with a ball during a World Series game at Truist Park in 2021.

Joro spiders multiply across Georgia, spinning their pesky webs

The invasive species has multiplied rapidly in Atlanta in the last three years, research shows.

Ford settles billion-dollar Georgia lawsuits over fatal wrecks

Ford Motor Co. has settled two Georgia lawsuits that elicited record-setting jury verdicts of $1.7 billion and $2.5 billion, ending more than a decade of litigation.