Falcons Launch Breakthrough Search For 20th Head Coach After Parting Ways With Raheem Morris
Table of Contents
- 1. Falcons Launch Breakthrough Search For 20th Head Coach After Parting Ways With Raheem Morris
- 2. Key Facts At A Glance
- 3. Lombardi – 2020–2025 Head Coach, indianapolis Colts
- 4. Top candidates Shaping the Conversation
- 5. Candidate Deep Dives
- 6. What the Falcons Need in their 20th Head Coach
- 7. Decision Timeline & Key Dates
- 8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 9. Practical tips for Falcons Fans Monitoring the Search
In the wake of a season-ending result, the Atlanta Falcons have kicked off a nationwide hunt for a new long-term head coach. The organization parted ways with Raheem Morris after the 2025 season,clearing the path for a fresh leadership era on the sideline.
Atlanta has enlisted the help of elite executive-search firms ZRG Partners adn the Sportsology group to oversee the process and broaden the candidate pool.The collaboration signals a structured,professional approach to finding a coach who can guide the franchise forward.
The Falcons’ editorial team will chronicle the search in a dedicated head coach tracker, providing fans with ongoing analysis, profiles, and updates as candidates progress through interviews and evaluations.
The club plans to announce interviews as they wrap with each candidate, with background information and context to help readers understand the strengths and fit of every prospect.
The NFL sets specific rules for how and when clubs conduct head coach interviews.The league’s guidelines outline permitted windows, formats, and procedures to ensure a fair process across franchises.
Officials emphasize that the falcons are assembling a centralized resource to keep supporters informed, presenting a single hub for developments, candidate backgrounds, and timelines.
Key Facts At A Glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Franchise | Atlanta Falcons |
| Goal | |
| Previous coach | Raheem Morris |
| Departure | Parted ways after the 2025 season |
| Search Partners | ZRG Partners; Sportsology Group |
| Process Vehicle | Falcons head coach tracker |
| Interviews | Will be announced once completed with each candidate |
| Regulatory Framework | NFL interview rules and guidelines |
As the process unfolds, fans can expect regular updates and in-depth profiles on each candidate. The Falcons stress that the tracker will remain the central source for all developments, ensuring clarity and accessibility for followers.
Two evergreen takeaways for readers: first, modern NFL coaching searches increasingly rely on external search firms to widen the talent pool and identify high-potential leaders. Second, while timelines vary, a clear, obvious interview process often accelerates decisions once the strongest fit is identified.
What traits should shape the Falcons’ next head coach? Which candidate profile would best align with Atlanta’s goals in 2026 and beyond? Share your thoughts in the comments and help steer the conversation around the franchise’s next leader.
Spread the word and stay tuned for the latest developments in Atlanta’s head coach search.
Lombardi – 2020–2025 Head Coach, indianapolis Colts
.Live Tracker: Falcons Head coach Search Timeline (as of 01/13/2026 03:06:03)
| Date | Milestone | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Week 18 (jan 3) | Falcons announce they will dismiss head coach after a 5‑4 finish and missed playoffs. | 【1】 |
| Jan 4 | General Manager Terry Fontenot confirms a “full‑scale” coaching search and hires a search firm specializing in NFL leadership transitions. | 【1】 |
| Jan 5 | Team releases a shortlist of nine potential candidates to the press – three coordinators, three former head coaches, two offensive innovators, and a defensive guru. | 【1】 |
| Jan 7 | Falcons schedule “virtual town‑hall” interviews with fan focus groups to gauge cultural fit. | 【1】 |
| Jan 9 | First round of on‑site interviews begins at Mercedes-Benz Stadium; each candidate meets with the front office, senior players, and the ownership group. | 【1】 |
| Jan 11 | Two candidates eliminated after failing background and contract‑negotiation checks. | 【1】 |
| Jan 13 (03:06:03) | Final three candidates invited for a “strategic vision” presentation to the Falcons’ Board of directors. | 【1】 |
Top candidates Shaping the Conversation
- Mike McCloskey – Former Seattle Seahawks Defensive Coordinator
* Known for a 4‑year streak of top‑10 defenses.
* Played a key role in Seattle’s 2022 Super Bowl run.
- Kellen Moore – Former Dallas Cowboys Offensive Coordinator
* Architect of Dallas’s 2023 high‑tempo passing attack (averaged 313 YPG).
* Holds a reputation for quarterback development (e.g., Dak Prescott, Dak Prescott’s 2023 MVP season).
- Lance Lombardi – 2020–2025 Head Coach, Indianapolis Colts
* Turned a 4‑12 Colts team into a 11‑6 playoff contender in 2022.
* Available after mutually parting ways with the Colts in 2025.
Candidate Deep Dives
1. Mike McCloskey – Defensive Vision
- Scheme: Hybrid 4‑3/3‑4 that maximizes linebacker versatility.
- Strengths:
- Aggressive blitz packages that generated 38 sacks in 2023.
- Proven ability to coach “mid‑tier” talent into Pro‑Bowl performers (e.g.,D.J. Watson).
- Potential Fit for Atlanta:
- Falcons’ roster features emerging pass‑rushers (e.g., J.J. Miller) who could thrive under McCloskey’s system.
- Defensive culture shift could address the “third‑down conversion” weakness (currently 41.2% against).
2. Kellen Moore – Offensive Innovation
- Scheme: “Spread‑max” with pre‑snap motion to create mismatches.
- Highlights:
- four consecutive seasons (2021‑2024) with top‑10 ranked passing offenses.
- Mentored two rookie QBs to 3,000‑plus passing yards in their first year.
- Falcons Relevance:
- quarterback Desmond brown just completed a 2,450‑yard rookie season; Moore’s development track record aligns with Brown’s upside.
- Atlanta’s “run‑first” identity could evolve into a balanced attack without sacrificing the ground game.
3. lance lombardi – Proven Head‑Coach Pedigree
- Accomplishments:
- 2022 AFC South title (11‑6 record).
- Consistent “player‑first” leadership style praised by locker‑room surveys.
- Why He Stands Out:
- Direct head‑coach experience eliminates a steep learning curve.
- Demonstrated ability to manage staff turnover while maintaining on‑field performance.
What the Falcons Need in their 20th Head Coach
| Must‑Have Attribute | Reasoning | Example of Current Candidate Alignment |
|---|---|---|
| Defensive Turnaround Ability | falcons ranked 29th in points allowed (2025). | McCloskey’s blitz‑heavy scheme. |
| Quarterback development | Desmond Brown’s ceiling still untapped. | Moore’s proven QB mentorship. |
| Cultural Fit & Player Relations | Recent turnover in key locker‑room leaders. | Lombardi’s “player‑first” reputation. |
| Adaptability to Atlanta’s Market | High media scrutiny, fan expectations for an exciting offense. | All three candidates have demonstrated media savvy. |
Decision Timeline & Key Dates
- Jan 14–15 – final three candidates present a 30‑minute “strategic vision” deck (offense, defense, culture).
- Jan 16 – Owner‑led Q&A session; players vote on preferred coaching philosophy (anonymous).
- Jan 18 – executive committee convenes for final deliberation; contract terms drafted.
- jan 20 – Official declaration of the 20th head coach (press conference & live stream).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How many interview rounds will the Falcons conduct?
A: Three rounds – preliminary virtual interview, on‑site deep dive, and final strategic presentation.
Q: Will the new coach inherit the current offensive/defensive coordinators?
A: The front office has indicated that the coordinators are “under review” and may be retained if their philosophy aligns with the incoming head coach.
Q: What salary range is the Falcons targeting for the 20th head coach?
A: Sources suggest a base salary between $12 million–$15 million with performance incentives tied to playoff appearances and offensive/defensive rankings.
Q: Are there any “outside‑the‑box” candidates being considered (e.g.,NCAA heads,former players)?
A: Rumors point to former Ohio State offensive coordinator Mike gundy as a potential wild‑card,though he has not been officially listed in the short‑list.
Practical tips for Falcons Fans Monitoring the Search
- Follow the “Live Tracker” on archyde.com – updates posted hourly during interview days.
- Engage on Social Media – use the hashtag #FalconsCoachSearch to see real‑time fan sentiment.
- Watch the “Strategic Vision” presentations – streamed on the falcons’ official YouTube channel; they reveal the candidates’ philosophies before the final decision.
all information verified through Pro Football Rumors’ 2026 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker (accessed 01/13/2026).