Meet new Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan

Age: 52 (turns 53, March 7)

Hometown: Baltimore

Education: Oregon. He was a three-year letterman and played safety.

College experience: Oregon (graduate assistant, 1981), Stanford (linebackers, 1982-83), Rice (defensive backs, 1984-85) and LSU (linebackers, 1986).

Pro experience: head coach: San Francisco 49ers (2005-08; record 18-37); assistant coach: Denver Broncos (1987-92, 2009), New York Giants (1993-96), Washington Redskins (1997-99), New York Jets (2000), Baltimore Ravens (2001-04), and Miami Dolphins (2010-11). He has been a defensive coordinator for 14 seasons.

Highlights: His father, Dick Nolan, was head coach of the 49ers (1968-75) and the New Orleans Saints (1978-80). ...The Giants made Nolan the NFL's youngest defensive coordinator in 1993 at the age of 34. In his first season with the Giants, New York led the NFL in scoring defense, allowing 12.8 points per game. ... He has been to two Super Bowls, with the Denver Broncos in 1987 and 1989.

About the Author

X-factor for Sunday: Can Falcons offense build off strong showing vs. Saints?

Kirk Cousins operated under center, and the Falcons used more play-action passes after establishing the rushing attack.

1h ago

Falcons kickoff coverage unit needs a makeover, will be on hot seat Sunday

The unit will be on the hot seat in this game against Jets returners Isaiah Williams and Kene Nwangwu.

Falcons receiver Drake London declared out for Jets game Sunday

Falcons leading wide receiver Drake London will miss Sunday's game against the New York Jets with a sprained PCL.

The Latest

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

X-factor for Sunday: Can Falcons offense build off strong showing vs. Saints?

1h ago

Falcons kickoff coverage unit needs a makeover, will be on hot seat Sunday

Falcons receiver Drake London declared out for Jets game Sunday

Featured

Credit: Natrice Miller

Metro Atlanta retailers hopeful for strong holiday season after chaotic year

Some independent retailers in metro Atlanta are entering this holiday season feeling battered by what they call a chaotic year.

$21B data center proposal aims to become one of Georgia’s largest

Trammell Crow Co. is planning a $21 billion technology campus for a 1,632-acre site along I-75 roughly 60 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.

This metro Atlanta couple spearheaded a change in football helmets

Erin and Lee Hanson are the founders behind Guardian Sports, the company that makes the Guardian Caps worn by college football and NFL players.