The Atlanta Falcons officially introduced Arthur Smith as the team’s new head coach on Saturday. With the attention now shifting to Smith’s coordinator choices, two names have surfaced as potential candidates. Dave Ragone, the Chicago Bears passing game coordinator, was mentioned as a possible offensive coordinator choice for Atlanta.
According to a report by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Falcons “may hire” former Titans defensive coordinator Dean Pees for the same position in Atlanta.
The @NFLGameDay Notebook with @MikeGarafolo & @TomPelissero: The #Falcons hired Arthur Smith & may hire DC Dean Pees; the #Lions are zeroing in on #Saints AHC Dan Campbell as their coach; Insight into the #Eagles search, with two new candidates; Who will the #Seahawks hire as OC? pic.twitter.com/Xyf6OEJcF6
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 16, 2021
Pees was the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens for six seasons (2012-2017), before holding the same position with the Titans from 2018-2019.
After a one-year retirement in 2020, the 71-year-old Pees could reunite with Smith and bring a veteran set of eyes to the Falcons coaching staff.
