After starting off the season on an incredibly poor note, Falcons head coach Dan Quinn, who opted to fire all three coordinators, finds himself on the hot seat. A loss in Arizona on Sunday could be the final straw that forces the front office to make changes.
If team owner Arthur Blank decides to move on from Quinn, here are some head coaching candidates to consider and who would make the most sense.
Matt Eberflus, Colts defensive coordinator (odds +350)
Matt Eberflus is incredible at developing talent on defense. The Athletic refers to his style as an “ultra-demanding culture of hustle, discipline and teamwork,” something the Falcons, who have a history of emphasizing the importance of hustle and grit, would be attracted to.
For a team that’s gradually adapted a players-first coaching mentality, the Falcons could use a high character guy like Eberflus. He is notoriously accredited for developing his linebacker core into one of the best in the NFL, thanks to Darius Leonard and others.
Assuming Eberflus would want to hire his own offensive coordinator, I’d predict it to be current Arizona State assistant head coach, Dave Christensen. He worked at Toledo from 1992-2000, the exact years Eberflus did. Then went to Mizzou with Eberflus from 2001-2008. Christensen was the offensive coordinator while Eberflus was the defensive coordinator. Christensen is known for his offensive line development, which also makes sense for Atlanta.
Josh McDaniels, Patriots offensive coordinator (odds: +400)
This is the storyline heard around the league, but is it an actual reality for the Falcons? McDaniels and Dimitroff go way back, having worked together in New England from 2002 to 2007. However, Josh McDaniels saw time as a head coach in Denver from 2009 to 2010 and was miserable. He finished 8-8 in 2009 and followed it up with an atrocious 3-9 record in 2010 that got him fired after 12 games.
But, if the Falcons want a guy who doesn’t take no for an answer, McDaniels is probably that guy. He benched Brandon Marshall, a pro-bowl receiver in 2009 due to his behavior while the team was fighting for mediocrity. In 2004, McDaniels joined a quarterback’s room with Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Since then, he’s been one of the league’s most prolific play-callers.
McDaniels bailing from the Colts job is going to put his character into question, something that may not be appeal to Blank. The Falcons interviewed McDaniels for their head coach opening in 2015 before hiring Dan Quinn.
Mike McCarthy, former Green Bay Packers head coach (odds: N/A)
If Arthur Blank is mostly concerned about the business side, Mike McCarthy is the guy. But, the football side of McCarthy is pretty sketchy. Before the Jets hired Joe Douglas as their general manager, McCarthy was being considered for the job given his market skills and managerial strengths.
He’s overseen one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, but has made lots of questionable decisions throughout his career. If Blank is searching for an experienced winner, he’ll surely bring in McCarthy for an interview. Aside from that, he’s not a great candidate for the job. Schematically, it’s a fit. Business wise, it’s a fit. Chance of winning? Slim.
Eric Bieniemy, Chiefs offensive coordinator (odds: N/A)
Bieniemy’s odds of landing this job weren’t online, but despite popular belief of him being a favorite, his lack of play-calling experience says otherwise. Will Arthur Blank go down that same road again? Probably not. The Falcons cannot afford to suffer from the classic “growing pains” story.
Aside from that, Bieniemy comes from the Andy Reid tree, which guarantees him a leg up in the head coaching battle. He is also the one calling the plays for the best QB in the NFL and the most explosive offense in the league. Bieniemy played a role in the development of Mahomes as well. Between all the head coaching candidates, Bieniemy is the biggest boom or bust. His future team may either fire on all cylinders or struggle without the luxury of Patrick Mahomes throwing the ball.
Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma Sooners head coach (odds: N/A)
Back to back quarterbacks to win the Heisman and go No. 1 in the NFL draft is unheard of. Now, Jalen Hurts looks like he could potentially be the third in 2019.
Riley is going to be the biggest name in the head coaching industry. He’s got an incredibly exciting offense and has the looks of a young Kyle Shanahan, which you can imagine will entice the mind of Arthur Blank.
Back to the experience factor, Riley has never had a job in the NFL. It all depends on whether or not Blank is willing to take a risk or not. He probably won’t. Riley may not even leave Oklahoma, so only time will tell.
Rex Ryan, former NFL head coach and current ESPN analyst (odds: N/A)
In the 2015 Falcons coaching search, Rex Ryan was the favorite to win the job. Blank said this of him: “He’s outstanding. I had known Rex from the last [coaching-search] process we had gone through.” However, the process stalled out longer than expected, and Ryan took a job with Buffalo.
The Falcons need a leader, a straight up guy who wants to win. Ryan doesn’t care what anyone thinks and he’s ultra competitive. Is there a possibility Blank again turns to Ryan for an interview? Maybe. At the end of the day, maybe the Falcons do need a culture change; a change in philosophy.
