Hours before the Falcons (6-9) were set to face the Carolina Panthers (6-8-1) for the NFC South title it was reported by ESPN that the team has retained search firm Korn Ferry for a potential head-coaching search.

Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen of ESPN reported that Korn Ferry, an international firm with an office in Atlanta, was hired to help with a potential coaching search. Owner Arthur Blank has denied The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s request through a team spokesman to talk about Smith’s status.

Korn Ferry has been involved with several NFL job searches and in college football, including the University of Michigan’s search for a new head coach.

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