Quinn out as HC, with a long-term replacement needed
ATLANTA (BVM) — There’s no question that the Atlanta Falcons have potential. Their offense highlights a trio of wide receivers: the captivating Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, as well as a blooming prospect in Russell Gage. They filled the running back void by signing three-time pro bowler Todd Gurley. After all-pro tight end Austin Hooper left for the Cleveland Browns, they brought Hayden Hurst aboard via trade. Leading the charge is the always reliable quarterback, Matt Ryan.
Their defense is youthful, with lots of promise if developed the right way. Their defensive line features two former first round picks, 24-year old Takkarist McKinley and 26-year old Dante Fowler Jr. In the secondary, their 2020 first round pick A.J. Terrell is already getting starts.
But that potential is not being realized. After an 0-5 start to the season, the Falcons fail to rank in the top half of points scored, and their defense ranks 30th of 32.
Former head coach Dan Quinn had some success in Atlanta, leading them to the Super Bowl in 2016 and the divisional round game in 2017. But ever since then it’s gone downhill. In 2018 and 2019, the Falcons finished 7-9. Finally, the ownership team has had enough.
With his firing, defensive coordinator Raheem Morris will step into the interim head coaching position. Once the head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Morris registered a 17-31 mark in three years. While he’ll suit their short-term needs, the Falcons are going to need to find a head coach that’ll resurrect their franchise. Here are some options management should consider.
Eric Bieniemy, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator
Bieniemy has created quite the name for himself around the National Football League. As the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator, he’s helped Patrick Mahomes and company to be the most lethal offense in the league.
Of course, Mahomes is able to improvise and make mind-boggling plays on his own, but Bieniemy finds creative ways to get the ball in his playmakers hands. Whether that be end-around handoffs to speedster Tyreek Hill, or direct snaps to running backs in the backfield.
Patrick Mahomes II won't throw an easier touchdown pass for as long as he plays in the NFL. #Chiefs HC Andy Reid is still one of the most creative offensive play-callers pic.twitter.com/SchvCbAJIM
— Kevin Boilard (@KevinBoilard) September 9, 2018
Bieniemy had interviews this past offseason for the Giants’ and Panthers’ head coaching gigs and was ultimately passed up on. He could be the perfect target for a Falcons team that has arguably just as many offensive weapons as the Chiefs.
Matt Eberflus, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator
On the opposite side of the spectrum from Bieniemy is Eberflus. A defensive genius, Eberflus has taken the Colts from the bottom, to the very top. When he inherited the Colts defense in 2018, they were coming off a 2017 season where they ranked 30th of 32 teams. Now, through five weeks this year, they are the No. 1-ranked defense in all of the NFL.
They allow the fewest yards per game through the air, and the third fewest on the ground. They are second behind the Baltimore Ravens in points allowed per game at 17.6. They have yet to force a fumble this season, but their nine interceptions rank first in the league, and put them third overall in takeaways.
#Vikings drop to 0-3 and Xavier Rhodes just got a pick-six
Cool
— Matt Anderson (@MattAnderson_8) September 27, 2020
For a team that has played swiss cheese defense for roughly three years now, Eberflus could be the Falcons’ savior. After interviewing with the Browns for their head coaching job, it’s obvious that he wouldn’t be opposed to jumping ship for the betterment of his career.
Lincoln Riley, University of Oklahoma head coach
Riley is the outsider of this group, considering that he’s currently in the college ranks. But his successes there have not gone unnoticed. He has led the Sooners to three straight college football playoff appearances and sent two heisman trophy winners off to the NFL.
Both Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray were drafted first overall, and Sooners’ current starting quarterback Spencer Rattler is well on his way to a successful college career. He set multiple OU freshman records in his first career start.
Per Oklahoma …
Spencer Rattler set OU freshman records for passing efficiency rating (303.3), yards per completion (23.71) and yards per attempt (17.06). He became the first Oklahoma freshman quarterback to throw four touchdown passes in his first career start.
— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) September 13, 2020
With other young, explosive coaches starting to become the new trend of the league (Kliff Kingsbury, Sean McVay, Matt LaFleur), the Falcons may be inclined to take a flyer on Riley.
