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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.

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