Five dream replacements for the Atlanta Falcons’ head coaching position previously filled by Dan Quinn
The Atlanta Falcons have two major decisions to make in the coming months and one will be selecting a candidate to take over Dan Quinn’s old position as Head Coach.
The Atlanta Falcons made the decision to fire both Dan Quinn (Head Coach) and Thomas Dimitroff (GM) after the team started the 2020 season with an abysmal 0-5 record.
Since that point, the Falcons are 4-8 overall (4-3 in their last seven games) and the franchise is still counting its options for who they want to peg as the next head coach.
Here are five dream replacements that could become a reality before it’s all said and done for the Atlanta Falcons.
5. Robert Saleh
We’re going ahead and getting the defensive name out of the way first.
If you’re honest with yourself, the problem for this Falcons team has not necessarily been the offense, especially over the course of the last few years. Sure, there are times where the unit has struggled immensely, but they’re averaging 25.8 points per game this season- good enough for 12th in the league- so there at least is a glimmer of good.
The problem, in many respects, has been the defense. The unit is giving up on average 25.2 points per game and though they’ve looked improved over the last three (averaging 17.0 points per game), there is still work to be done.
Robert Saleh, the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers, has been as consistent as they come. He may have been out-coached against the Bills this past weekend, but don’t let that get in the way in seeing that he has become a solid leader and a consistent presence for a 49ers team that has relied heavily on its defense.
If the Falcons want to go with a defensive mind, Saleh has to be at the top of their list. That being said, there are some other names that we would consider ahead of him.
4. Pete Carmichael
Sean Payton and Drew Brees get all the credit for creating the Saints’ offensive attack, but let’s not pretend that Pete Carmichael- the Saints’ offensive coordinator- hasn’t had a lot to do with it.
Carmichael has been a name on the rise and he’d bring a sense of ‘winning’ and offensive urgency that haven’t been in Atlanta before.
The one thing I like most about Carmichael is his flexibility and ability to adjust. He knows that Brees can’t throw the ball deep. So, what does he do? He uses his play-makers and gets them involved while taking the pressure off an aging quarterback. He throws in a wrinkle with Taysom Hill.
That’s the kind of creativity that needs to be brought to the ATL. The Falcons are desperately in need of a bright mind who can bring enthusiasm to the franchise and Carmichael- love him or hate him- is a guy who could do that.
3. Brian Daboll
Speaking of the Bills from just a couple of slides ago, how about the Buffalo Bills’ offensive coordinator in Brian Daboll?
Brian Daboll has served on many winning teams and has been almost like a ‘QB whisperer’ to Josh Allen up in Buffalo. His name is on the rise, and for good reason.
If the Atlanta Falcons are wanting to go after an offensive mind, Daboll is the name they should consider calling first.
He absolutely out-coached Robert Saleh- the defensive mind on this list earlier- last week and there’s no doubt that Daboll is going to have an opportunity to be a head coach at some point in the near future.
2. Eric Bieniemy
Eric Bieniemy is the name that everyone wants and there’s going to be stiff competition for him as we’ve already seen several head coaching positions open up around the league.
The Atlanta Falcons need to give Bieniemy a call to gauge interest and go ahead and secure him as one of their top priorities moving forward.
Bieniemy has shown to be a bright offensive mind- one of the best in the game- and he has had the privilege to be a part of championship football and to be mentored by Andy Reid.
If the Falcons are wanting to build a franchise that competes in the postseason year-in and year-out, Bieniemy is the man who deserves a chance.
1. Proven winner or up-and-comer from collegiate level
Our last name on this list is a little different.
We looked at four NFL names that could be potential successful had coaches, but this last one has to do with the Falcons looking creatively at the situation and bringing in, perhaps, a breath of fresh air.
We’re talking about going and selecting a collegiate coach to be the next head coach of the franchise. Some names?
- Jim Harbaugh
- Lincoln Riley
- Ryan Day
- David Shaw
- Dan Mullen
No one likes Harbaugh and I get it, but you can’t deny the success he had in the NFL and we have to acknowledge that the collegiate game is different from the professional game.
There’s nothing hurt by reaching out to some of these bright collegiate minds and gauging interest. It’s a place many NFL franchises are afraid to look, but the Falcons need to leave no stone unturned in their search.
In the end, I believe any man on that list could become a successful head coach at the professional level in relatively short time.