Mike Smith Hired as Head Coach of Falcons

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Former Jacksonville Jags defensive coordinator Mike Smith was named as the new head coach of the Atlanta Falcons today. Stepping in as the third full-time head coach in three years won’t be easy, but that is the task that awaits Coach Smith. The Falcons hope he brings the stability they so desperately need after last year’s season-long debacle — QB Michael Vick was sent to prison and head coach Bobby Petrino walked out on the team. At an announcement presser today Coach Smith said:

“I know it was a very difficult year with the off-the-field issues. Those are things that have happened in the past. I’m concerned about what’s happening from today on, but in terms of mending the situations that occurred, I’m very open and I’m very personable. I like to have relationships with the players whether it’s an open-door policy where we can get in and talk.”

Well, that’s a start. Coach Smith is a very communicative and genuine guy. I’ll give him that. But first and foremost he needs to find a starting quarterback from a roster of Byron Leftwich, Joey Harrington, Chris Redman and D.J. Shockley. Or look to free agency. He’ll also need to mend the NFL’s 29th ranked defense, the 23rd ranked offense and a 4-12 record. As D-coordinator in Jacksonville the past four seasons, he engineered one of the league’s best defenses, well-known for their physical style of play. He’ll bring that same game plan/philosophy to Atlanta. I know he wants to run the ball on offense and stop the run on defense. That would be my philosophy as well. It’s a simple plan of success (knowing, of course, that it’s easier said than done). According to Falcons’ GM Thomas Dimitroff, “He has a very well-defined plan to put in place, and he will adhere to that plan.” Hmm. Sounds like the front office will see to it.

(Here’s a little factoid you probably didn’t know. Former Baltimore Ravens head coach Brian Billick is Coach Smith’s brother-in-law.)